photo: Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain/Illustrative photo
The launch of battery-powered trains in the Czech Republic marks a major step in modernizing rail transport. However, concerns over infrastructure, battery lifespan, and a contract awarded without competition raise serious questions.
The Moravian-Silesian Region is now home to the first-ever battery-powered trains in the Czech Republic. These trains are part of a broader effort by Czech Railways (ČD) to modernize its fleet. According to Martin Elstner, director of ČD’s regional maintenance center, an additional 15 battery-powered RegioPanter trains with greater capacity are planned for future deployment. The first four BEMU trains, currently in trial operation, are set to run from Bohumín. For now, technical parameters of the upcoming fleet are being tested on a trial circuit before they enter real-world operations, Elstner confirmed.
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The Challenges of Battery Trains
While the introduction of BEMU trains is an exciting development, it comes with significant challenges—particularly regarding energy management. Elstner explains that battery-powered trains should never be completely drained; instead, they must retain a certain charge level, which has implications for fire safety and operational efficiency. "The demand for battery trains is growing, and several other regions in the Czech Republic are eager to introduce them," he added.
Irregular Operation Could Shorten BEMU Trains' Battery Lifespan
A key issue affecting these new trains is battery longevity, which is highly dependent on how they are operated. Every railway route is different, meaning trains experience varying operational patterns, which can disrupt planned charging cycles. From a transportation perspective, the priority is to recharge batteries as quickly as possible so that trains return to service faster. However, Elstner warns that this approach negatively impacts battery lifespan.
"Technologically, the best way to preserve battery life is to charge them slowly using a low electrical current," Elstner explains. He draws a comparison to partial trolleybuses, which already use advanced battery management systems to predict longevity. However, whether a similar approach will be feasible for rail transport remains uncertain.
Interestingly, Elstner himself is also a train driver, meaning he will be among the first to operate these battery-powered units. He notes that, while they are similar to traditional Panter trains, running an electric train on a non-electrified track will be a unique experience.
A No-Bid Contract for BEMU Trains?
The Moravian-Silesian Region is the first in the country to introduce battery trains, but the contract behind this rollout has sparked controversy. Rather than opening the contract to competitive bidding, the 10-year agreement between the regional government and Czech Railways was awarded directly. The deal, worth over EUR 676 million, was finalized without comparing prices from competing suppliers.
One of the conditions for the agreement was the deployment of four battery-powered trains on the Ostrava–Veřovice route, yet Czech Railways had not even selected a supplier at the time. To resolve this, Czech Railways signed a framework contract for electric trains with Škoda Group. However, a legal review by an independent law firm later ruled this procurement process invalid.
In 2022, Czech Railways launched a tender for 15 battery-powered trains, but the winning bidder was unable to deliver the first four units before the operational deadline of late 2024/early 2025.
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Trains Are Running—But Infrastructure Isn’t Ready
While the BEMU trains entered service in December 2024, the necessary charging infrastructure will only be completed in 2025. According to Správa železnic (Railway Infrastructure Administration), charging stations will be built at key stations. These will include overhead charging rails and other safety modifications to ensure smooth operations.
Although the Czech Republic has officially launched its first battery trains, their long-term success will depend on resolving critical issues—ranging from operational efficiency to infrastructure readiness and procurement transparency.
Source: zeleznicar.cz, moravskoslezsky.denik.cz, ekonomickydenik.cz