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Press Release17 July 2025Siemens AGMunich
Electricity Instead of Diesel: New Battery Trains for Low-Emission Regional Mobility
A milestone for mobility transition in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW): The new, low-emission Mireo Smart Plus B battery trains for Regiobahn were officially presented today at Siemens Mobility's test center in Wegberg-Wildenrath. With their upcoming deployment on the RE 47 line between Remscheid-Lennep and Düsseldorf Central Station from summer 2026, Regiobahn is setting a strong example for climate-neutral mobility. The three innovative, two-car battery trains from Siemens Mobility represent a sustainable future for regional mobility and bring NRW a decisive step closer to the desired transport transition.
The three new battery trains, with a range of up to 120 kilometers and a top speed of 140 km/h, replace the previously operating diesel vehicles, enabling almost emission-free rail transport on this important commuter route. Through collaboration with Smart Train Lease, a specialist in rail vehicle solutions, the procurement could be realized quickly and efficiently.
Left to right: Alexandra Westerkamp, Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board at Regiobahn and Head of Department at VRR, Christina Zoller, CFO of Smart Train Lease, Ben Dobernecker, CEO of Smart Train Lease, Rolf Ommen, Head of Department at Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr (VRR), Götz Nink, Managing Director of Regiobahn
“We are very pleased to be able to offer our passengers on the RE 47 line a reliable alternative again next year. The Mireo Smart BEMU trains are the right solution in terms of availability, comfort, and emission-free mobility, and our employees will receive a modern working environment. After three years of painful use of rail replacement services, we are confident in offering an attractive connection between Remscheid and Düsseldorf. The battery-electric Mireo Smart is perfect for the challenging route with the non-electrifiable Müngstener Bridge," says Götz Nink, Managing Director of Regiobahn.
“The state-of-the-art
standardized Mireo Smart trains from Siemens Mobility are an important
milestone for climate-friendly rail transport in North Rhine-Westphalia. Thanks
to the intelligent vehicle platform, we can provide these particularly powerful
and comfortable battery trains in record time,"
explains
Benjamin Dobernecker, CEO of Smart Train Lease
GmbH.
“Since January, VRR has
been the majority shareholder in Regiobahn. Thanks to this participation, we
have succeeded in procuring new, locally emission-free vehicles for operating
the RE 47 line from Remscheid via Solingen to Düsseldorf. For passengers, the
transport between Bergisches Land and the state capital with the RE 47 is a
great benefit. Travelers can travel directly to Düsseldorf without changing
trains," says
Alexandra Westerkamp, Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board
at Regiobahn and Head of Department at VRR.
Modern, Comfortable,
and Climate-Friendly: The New Mireo Smart Plus B Trains Set Standards in Local
Transport
The two-car Mireo Smart Plus B battery trains impress with a range of up to 120 kilometers and reach a top speed of 140 km/h - both in overhead line and battery operation. With a total of 122 seats, spacious multi-purpose areas, and a separate first class with 8 seats, they offer a comfortable travel experience for various needs.
The two-car Mireo Smart Plus B battery trains impress with a range of up to 120 kilometers and reach a top speed of 140 km/h - both in overhead line and battery operation. With a total of 122 seats, spacious multi-purpose areas, and a separate first class with 8 seats, they offer a comfortable travel experience for various needs.
Additional passenger comfort is provided by WiFi, barrier-free access, and the particularly quiet operation of the trains. Wide car transitions and a well-thought-out interior design create a high sense of security. The trains have space for 12 bicycles. Numerous power outlets and USB charging ports allow passengers to conveniently charge their mobile devices during the journey. Another highlight is Siemens Mobility's innovative high-frequency window solution, which significantly improves mobile phone reception on the train.
The Mireo Smart Plus B uses the existing infrastructure particularly efficiently: The batteries can be charged both while driving and while stationary - without additional charging facilities. For deployment on the Düssel-Wupper-Express (RE 47) from summer 2026, this means: no structural adjustments, no additional investments. Thanks to state-of-the-art silicon carbide technology (SiC), the train impresses with particularly low energy consumption. This not only increases energy efficiency but also sustainably reduces operating costs - a win for both the environment and economic efficiency.
The trains will be maintained by Siemens Mobility as part of a full service contract, which guarantees almost 100 per cent availability in daily operations. In future, preventive and corrective maintenance will be carried out at Siemens Mobility's Dortmund Rail Service Centre, one of the most modern maintenance facilities in Europe. Siemens Mobility uses digital services from the Railigent X platform to continuously monitor the trains and examine them for possible faults so that they can be ordered to the workshop in Dortmund in good time for maintenance work. Thus, Siemens Mobility and Smart Train Lease provide their full range of services to Regiobahn.
The introduction of battery trains is part of a comprehensive strategy to reduce CO2 emissions in public transport and demonstrates the region's commitment to innovative and sustainable mobility solutions.
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Since 1980, the
Rhine-Ruhr Transport Association (VRR) has been organizing local public transport in the Rhine-Ruhr region and ensuring mobility for 7.8 million residents. As one of Europe's largest transport associations, we ensure demand-led and economical local transport. Together with 16 cities, 7 districts, 33 transport companies, and 7 railway companies, we develop mobility solutions for people living along the Rhine, Ruhr, and Wupper rivers.
Siemens Mobility is a separately managed company of Siemens AG. As a leader in intelligent transport solutions for more than 175 years, Siemens Mobility is constantly innovating its portfolio. Its core areas include rolling stock, rail automation and electrification, a comprehensive software portfolio, turnkey systems as well as related services. With digital products and solutions, Siemens Mobility is enabling mobility operators worldwide to make infrastructure intelligent, increase value sustainably over the entire lifecycle, enhance passenger experience and guarantee availability. In fiscal year 2024, which ended on September 30, 2024, Siemens Mobility posted revenue of €11.4 billion and employed around 41,900 people worldwide. Further information is available at: www.siemens.com/mobility
Siemens Mobility is a separately managed company of Siemens AG. As a leader in intelligent transport solutions for more than 175 years, Siemens Mobility is constantly innovating its portfolio. Its core areas include rolling stock, rail automation and electrification, a comprehensive software portfolio, turnkey systems as well as related services. With digital products and solutions, Siemens Mobility is enabling mobility operators worldwide to make infrastructure intelligent, increase value sustainably over the entire lifecycle, enhance passenger experience and guarantee availability. In fiscal year 2024, which ended on September 30, 2024, Siemens Mobility posted revenue of €11.4 billion and employed around 41,900 people worldwide. Further information is available at: www.siemens.com/mobility