Alstom Secures €1.2 Billion Contract for Battery-Electric Trains in UK

Alstom S.A has secured a significant contract worth €1.2 billion with TransPennine Express (TPE) for the supply and long-term maintenance of a new fleet of battery-electric trains. The contract includes a rolling stock order valued at approximately €930 million for 29 five-car battery-electric multiple units (BEMUs) and maintenance agreements worth around €230 million. The trains will transform rail travel across northern England and support the delivery of the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU).

The new trains will be the first mainline battery-electric train fleet in Britain, designed and built in the UK. They will be deployed from 2032 and offer a range of modern amenities, including Wi-Fi, air conditioning, power and USB-C charging, enhanced luggage provision, real-time passenger information systems, CCTV, dedicated cycle storage, and quieter interiors. Notably, the Adessia Stream platform will feature level boarding at every door, enhancing accessibility and reducing station dwell times.

Alstom’s Managing Director UK, Rob Whyte, expressed pride in the project, stating, "This agreement is a landmark moment for Britain's railway, and we couldn't be prouder that the country's first mainline battery-electric trains will be designed and built in Britain. The fleet will transform journeys across northern England while showcasing the very best of British engineering, innovation, and advanced manufacturing."

The project will support more than 350 highly skilled jobs in Derby and over 5,500 roles across Alstom’s UK supply chain, contributing to regional economic growth. Additionally, the maintenance contract will support over 100 roles for an initial eight-year period, with potential for an extension. Alstom will train at least 36 apprentices and 36 T Level students over the contract, benefiting over 1,000 community members each year through the company’s established local engagement framework.

Alstom’s Adessia Stream trains are designed specifically for long-distance regional travel, operating at speeds of up to 110 mph and providing around 300 seats per train, including a First Class area with catering facilities. The trains will also include three dedicated wheelchair spaces, two accessible toilets, family-friendly areas, and buggy storage. The trains' battery technology will provide emission-free operations on non-electrified sections of railway, with charging infrastructure to be installed at Hull, Scarborough, and Saltburn.

TransPennine Express’s Managing Director, Chris Jackson, highlighted the significance of the project, saying, "Britain has a proud railway heritage, and this project puts the UK at the forefront of the next generation of cleaner rail technology."

The new battery-electric fleet will operate on services connecting key destinations across northern England, including Liverpool, Manchester, York, Hull, Scarborough, and Saltburn. The trains are funded by rail investor Rock Rail and will replace part of TPE’s existing Class 185 fleet.

Alstom’s Adessia platform is a key milestone in the company’s commitment to sustainable rail mobility. The Adessia Stream trains will deliver required capacities while reducing life-cycle costs and enabling unassisted boarding at 85% of existing UK railway station platforms due to level boarding at every door along the full length of the train.

This €1.2 billion investment in the future of rail travel across the North marks a significant step towards decarbonizing Britain's rail network and enhancing passenger experiences.