ABB and Škoda Group power up Czech railways with new battery-electric trains

ABB and Škoda Group have announced a partnership, the first of its kind between the two companies, that marks a milestone in railway electrification. The collaboration begins with ABB supplying its innovative Traction Battery Pro Series, which is compact and lightweight, and engineered to optimize vehicle performance while significantly reducing maintenance and downtime. The battery packs will be equipped on Škoda’s new fleet of battery-electric multiple units (BEMUs) ordered by České dráhy, the Czech national railway operator. The order represents a significant advancement in the Czech railways transition to more sustainable operations, offering an immediate and practical solution for avoiding carbon emissions in rail transport. The order, with a value less than USD$20 million, was booked in the fourth quarter of 2024.

The initial agreement covers the delivery of 195 Pro 8C-850 battery packs for 15 BEMUs and will also comprise of a comprehensive 15-year service agreement. This is the first order for ABB traction technology placed by Škoda Group, a Czech engineering company specialized in rolling stock manufacturing and is one of several significant orders already placed for ABB’s new Traction Battery Pro Series, which was only recently announced in September 2024 at InnoTrans in Berlin, Germany.

The standardized Pro Battery Series is designed to suit BEMU applications, particularly in railway networks with partial electrification. This solution enables trains to operate on both electrified and non-electrified sections of track, providing flexibility and environmental benefits without requiring full infrastructure electrification.

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