ÖBB orders seven additional Flirt Akku battery EMUs from Stadler

Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) is deepening its commitment to sustainable regional transport, exercising a second call-off for seven Stadler Flirt Akku battery EMUs. This latest order, announced on March 13, 2026, advances ÖBB's €1.3 billion 10-year framework agreement with Stadler, initially signed in July 2023 for up to 120 battery-electric multiple units. The commercial logic centers on decarbonizing non-electrified routes in Lower Austria, specifically targeting the Kamptal and Erlauftal lines from December 2028. Each three-car BEMU, scheduled for 2028 delivery, will replace existing diesel multiple units, directly contributing to an estimated annual saving of 500,000 litres of diesel and a reduction of 1200 tonnes of CO₂ emissions. ÖBB benefits from modernizing its fleet with vehicles featuring over 160 seats, multipurpose areas, power sockets, and USB-C ports, enhancing passenger experience while meeting environmental targets. For Stadler, a Swiss manufacturer specializing in regional transport vehicles, this second call-off reinforces its position as a key supplier of innovative battery-electric rolling stock to national railway operators. The framework agreement with ÖBB, a state-owned national railway company managing an extensive rail network, provides Stadler with a substantial, long-term revenue stream through 2033. ÖBB's motivation stems from its mandate to operate and modernize Austria's rail infrastructure, leveraging battery EMUs to extend sustainable transport solutions beyond traditionally electrified lines and replace aging diesel fleets on specific non-electrified routes in Lower Austria. This strategic procurement aligns ÖBB's operational footprint with broader environmental objectives for passenger and freight transport, exemplifying a broader shift among European national railways towards adopting battery technology for regional lines where full electrification is not economically viable.