Since last week, the first four Siemens Mireo Plus B battery-powered trains have been in operation in the Ortenau region near Offenburg. The official launch was marked by an exclusive inaugural run from Offenburg to Oberkirch and back.
“With this inaugural journey, we are writing a new chapter in railway history,” said Baden-Württemberg’s Transport Minister Winfried Hermann at the ceremonial start. “Thanks to the battery-hybrid drive of the Mireo Plus B, trains in the Ortenau region will now run more climate-friendly instead of on diesel. Baden-Württemberg is a pioneering region with innovative train technology. All trains should be climate-friendly. Where there are no overhead lines yet, we are relying on alternative and climate-friendly solutions.”
The hybrid vehicles will initially be deployed on the routes from Offenburg to Bad Griesbach and from Offenburg to Hornberg. They will replace the diesel-powered Regio Shuttle RS1 trains. A gradual expansion of services to other routes in the network is planned.
Thanks to their battery-hybrid drive, they can be used on routes with and without overhead lines. If they were to operate across the entire network in the future and replace the diesel-powered RegioShuttle trains, this would save approximately 1.8 million liters of diesel per year.
The Mireo Plus B has a battery range of up to 120 km under real-world conditions. The batteries can be recharged via overhead lines and regenerative braking. The battery system is located under the car body and comprises two battery containers. Long-life lithium-ion batteries are used.
(The Black Forest Railway itself has been electrified since 1975, editor's note.)
The video here
