LUXEMBOURG-based locomotive leasing company Nexrail has signed a framework deal with Stadler for the supply of up to 200 Euro 9000 six-axle battery-electric locomotives. The value of the transaction and the full delivery schedule have not been disclosed.
The 120km/h locomotives are rated at up to 9MW when drawing power from the overhead catenary and up to 1.2MW when powered by the onboard battery system. Stadler claims that the Nexrail fleet will be the first mainline locomotives to produce zero emissions from first mile to last mile.
The multi-system locomotives will be equipped for cross-border operation on both ac and dc networks in Germany, Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Italy. According to Stadler, the onboard battery system can boost performance on weak dc networks.
The first deliveries are scheduled for 2029, and the first customer is German freight operator Hamburger Rail Service.
“The Stadler Euro 9000 is an important step forward because it eliminates the need for diesel traction and offers freight operators completely new benefits of having battery storage onboard”, says Luuk von Meijenfeldt, CEO of Nexrail.
