Stadler has received a contract from French railway company Chemins de fer de Provence (CP) for the supply of eight hybrid metre-gauge multiple units, marking a step towards sustainable rail transport in southern France.
The agreement involves the production of customised vehicles designed for CP’s metre-gauge network to replace the existing diesel fleet.
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These two-car metre-gauge new units will be manufactured in Bussnang, Switzerland and are expected to operate on the 150km line connecting Nice and Digne-les-Bains.
The hybrid trains will utilise battery technology alongside a biodiesel engine, resulting in a reduction of CO2 emissions by up to 77% compared to traditional diesel vehicles, according to the company.
A charging station for the battery system is planned for construction in Nice to support the new fleet.
The commissioning of these eight vehicles is scheduled for 2028.
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By GlobalDataStadler marketing and sales head Ansgar Brockmeyer said: “Stadler is delighted with the order from Chemins de fer de Provence and very pleased to be building customised metre-gauge multiple units for this client.
“We are proud to be able to make a significant contribution to environmentally friendly mobility on this route in the Région Sud with the hybrid drive.”
Each of the two-car units will have a length of 40m, a width of 2.5m and a height of 3.9m.
Designated as BEMU Bem 4/8, the new vehicles will feature a track gauge of 1,000mm and a minimum curve radius of 100m.
The maximum axle load is set at 14t, with a power output of 800kW and a maximum speed of 100km/h.
Each unit will have a seating capacity of 86 and a standing capacity of 98, totalling 184 passengers.
Last month, the Matterhorn Gotthard Railway (MGBahn) and Stadler unveiled what they call the world’s fastest rack-and-pinion railway.
The new “v+” braking system, unveiled in Andermatt, Switzerland, allows cogwheel trains to achieve “unprecedented” speeds on the Andermatt-Göschenen route.
