SLOVAKIAN national passenger operator ZSSK has agreed a framework deal with Škoda Group and ŽOS Trnava for up to 36 two-car BEMUs, worth around €332m. An initial firm order for 16 trains is expected early next year. The tender for this order was launched in March with a target order value of €136m. This suggests a price of between €8.5m and €9.2m per unit.
Production will take place at Škoda facilities in the Czech Republic and in Slovakia by local manufacturer and consortium partner ŽOS Trnava. The new units will replace some diesel-powered trains on non-electrified lines and will reduce annual CO₂ emissions by 130 million kg compared with current operations.
ZSSK plans to deploy the new trains on the following routes:
- Kúty - Skalica na Slovensku
- Nové Zámky - Nitra
- Nitra - Trnava - Bratislava, and
- Myjava - Trenčín.
The BEMUs are based on Škoda’s existing Panter EMUs. The trains will run at speeds of up to 160km/h when using overhead catenary and up to 120km/h in battery mode. They are expected to have a range of at least 80km on non-electrified sections. The batteries will be recharged both during operation from the overhead line and at dedicated charging points, as well as through regenerative braking. Tender documents specified an eight-year warranty for the batteries.
The trains for will provide seating for 157 passengers and will be supplied with onboard ETCS Level 2 equipment.
“We will be the first in Slovakia to offer passengers zero-emission electric battery trains,” says Ivana Piňosová, CEO of ZSSK. “This project fits in with the vision of a modern and sustainable railway that brings greater comfort to passengers and better technical and working conditions for our employees."
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