Croatia launches first battery train with EU recovery funding
Croatia has introduced its first battery-powered passenger train, built by KONČAR Electric Vehicles. The train entered service monday on the Virovitica–Bjelovar route. The EUR 17.1 million project is co-financed by the EU Recovery and Resilience Plan, marking the country’s entry into Europe’s growing battery train market.
The new battery multiple unit (BMU) is designed for 100–200 km per charge, with tests showing more than 200 km of continuous operation. It runs at up to 120 km/h and accommodates 113 seated and 114 standing passengers. KONČAR’s 1 MW fast-charging system can replenish the batteries in about 27 minutes, with six charging stations being installed nationwide to support operations.
Domestic manufacturing and funding
KONČAR positions the BMU as a homegrown alternative in a segment led by Alstom, Stadler and Siemens. The company showcased the technology at InnoTrans 2024 and has delivered 60 modern trains to Croatian Railways over the past decade. Current orders span seven diesel-electric, one battery, one hybrid and six bi-modal units, indicating a shift from pilots to systematic fleet renewal. The battery project sits within Croatia’s EUR 728 million sustainable mobility envelope under the Recovery and Resilience Plan.
Outlook
Initial deployment focuses on the Virovitica–Bjelovar corridor, with expansion to the Split area planned by December. Croatian Railways now operates 68 new trains, 40 of which arrived in the past four years; a further 21 units on order include additional battery and hybrid sets. Plans for 2026 include hybrid operations on the Zagreb–Split route.