The Mireo Plus B battery hybrid trains developed by Siemens Mobility are now in regular service, and an inaugural trip from Offenburg to Oberkirch in the Ortenau region of southern Germany marked this leap forward in green transport. As part of this initiative, four battery-powered trains are being put into regular service, replacing diesel-powered vehicles and contributing to greener rail operations in the region. The Mireo Plus B trains feature hybrid propulsion technology that allows them to run on battery power and traditional electric and diesel power. This flexibility allows the trains to operate efficiently on lines with and without overhead power lines, significantly reducing CO2 emissions.
The trains will initially operate between Offenburg and Bad Griesbach and between Offenburg and Hornberg, with plans to gradually extend their use to other network routes. These state-of-the-art trains are expected to reduce diesel consumption by around 1.8 million liters per year once they are in operation across the entire network.
The Mireo Plus B trains are equipped with advanced features to ensure passenger comfort, including air-conditioning, spacious special areas, and 120 seats. They are designed to reach speeds of up to 160 km/h and offer an impressive acceleration of 1.10 m/sec^2. The trains' battery systems, located under the car floor, include lithium-ion batteries that can be recharged from overhead lines and through braking energy, providing a range of up to 120 kilometers in real-life conditions.
“Thanks to the battery hybrid drive of the Mireo Plus B, trains operating in the Ortenau region as of today are more climate-friendly than those using diesel. Baden-Württemberg is a pioneer with innovative train technology. All trains should be climate-friendly. We are relying on alternative, climate-friendly solutions wherever there are still no overhead power lines,” commented Winfried Hermann, Minister of Transport for the state of Baden-Württemberg.
