The Lower Saxony Transport Authority and the Greater Braunschweig Regional Association have placed an order valued at more than €2 billion covering trains, 30-year maintenance and depots, with passenger service due to begin at the end of 2031.
Siemens Mobility has received an order from Landesnahverkehrsgesellschaft Niedersachsen (LNVG) and the Regionalverband Großraum Braunschweig (RGB) for 113 three-car Mireo Plus B battery-electric regional trains. The contract, which also covers maintenance and depots, is valued at more than €2 billion.
The order comprises 83 vehicles for LNVG and a further 30 for RGB, together with a 30-year service package and the construction of two Rail Service Centres in Lower Saxony. The trains are due to enter passenger service from the end of 2031.
LNVG is the Lower Saxony Transport Authority and RGB is the Greater Braunschweig Regional Association, and the order covers vehicles, maintenance and depots under a single contract.
Battery trains for partially electrified routes
The Mireo Plus B is a battery-electric platform intended for routes that are only partially electrified. The batteries are charged while the train runs under overhead lines, allowing emission-free operation on sections without catenary. The Mireo Plus B can therefore operate across both electrified and non-electrified sections of a regional route, without requiring continuous overhead lines along its full length. Siemens Mobility says the vehicles, valued at around €1.1 billion, can reach speeds of up to 160 km/h.
Doors with different entry heights are designed to allow level boarding at a range of platform heights in most cases. Each train has two wheelchair spaces, multi-purpose areas, passenger information systems and Wi-Fi. The trains have more than 170 seats, including at least six in first class, and at least six bicycle spaces, which can be expanded to up to 18 if required.
Michael Peter, President of Siemens Mobility, said: “With the world’s largest order for battery-powered trains, we are working alongside our partners in Lower Saxony to drive forward the decarbonisation of rail transport and demonstrate that sustainable mobility is already economically viable and scalable today.”
Peter said: “Our Mireo Plus B battery-powered trains offer emission-free operation, high availability and first-class passenger comfort.”
With the world’s largest order for battery-powered trains, we are working alongside our partners in Lower Saxony to drive forward the decarbonisation of rail transport and demonstrate that sustainable mobility is already economically viable and scalable today.”
Thirty-year maintenance contract and new service centres
The core of the project is a 30-year full-service contract for the 113 trains. Siemens Mobility will take on full maintenance of the vehicles and support near-hundred-percent operational availability. The package includes digital services for condition-based maintenance and fleet performance optimisation, asset management, spare parts supply and maintenance throughout the lifecycle of the trains.
The approach is built around Railigent X, which Siemens Mobility describes as its operations and maintenance concept. Training programmes for operations and maintenance personnel are also included.
For the Lower Saxony project, a modern maintenance infrastructure is planned. The workshop concept covers running maintenance, with overhauls and heavy maintenance centralised in a centre of competence, supported by additional local facilities for regional vehicle care. Siemens Mobility says up to 100 jobs will be created.
Peter added: “At the same time, we are investing in service and maintenance capacity as well as skilled local jobs.”
The contract also includes options for up to 132 additional rail vehicles. Siemens Mobility says the combination of high fleet availability and economical operating processes is intended to provide a basis for long-term reliable rail transport in Lower Saxony.
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