Arriva to deliver ‘zero emission’ trains in Netherlands

Passenger transport company Arriva has announced that it has secured a contract to provide 18 zero-emission-capable trains, which will be the first to be used on partially electrified tracks.

The company has signed a contract with train manufacturer Stadler for €170m for the trains which are to be used in the north of the Netherlands.

The Flirtino train will have a zero emission mode, which can be used on partially electrified tracks

Known as the ‘Flirtino’ the trains run using fuel from HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) as well as having a zero-emission mode that uses partial electrification of the track to charge batteries that keep the train running on the parts of the tracks without electrification.

This train is the first of its kind in the world that combines regenerative technology with an HVO engine that can be replaced with an extra battery for non-electrified parts of the track, Arriva has claimed.

The train formed part of Arriva’s successful bid for the Northern Lines contract in the Netherlands in July 2017, and the first trains on HVO will be introduced in 2020.

Electrification

It is expected that construction of partial electrification can be finished in 2025 after which the trains will be transformed into Zero-Emissions trains.

In addition to the 18 brand new zero emissions trains, the existing 51-train fleet is being renovated and also equipped with advanced battery packs. This creates a complete fleet of 69 hybrid trains.

Commenting on the announcement, Arriva Group CEO Manfred Rudhart said: “As one of Europe’s largest transport operators, we are proud to be delivering into service world-first Flirtino trains for our Dutch customers. This is a major step towards creating a future where transport across Europe is cleaner, greener and more sustainable.

“Our investment in these new green technologies shows our commitment to ensuring that the environment remains top of the transport agenda across our operations in mainland Europe – an area which is an important growth engine for Arriva.”