Siemens Mobility starts rail-battery factory in Bavaria

From left to right: Monika Wildenauer, Authorized Representative, Dimonda Investment; Daniel Dirnberger, Managing Director Dimonda Investment; Karl Blaim, Managing Director Siemens Mobility; Hubert Aiwanger, Bavarian Minister of State for Economic Affairs; Albert Nickl, Deputy District Administrator of Neustadt an der Waldnaab; Sebastian Hartl, Mayor of Luhe-Wildenau.

Siemens Mobility has broken ground on a EUR 35 million facility in Luhe-Wildenau to produce rail-battery systems, creating up to 200 jobs by 2027.

The new plant will assemble complete battery systems for trains and locomotives, including an in-house Battery Management System developed with Munich-based Stercom. Battery cells will be sourced from suppliers such as Toshiba. At full capacity, the factory is expected to reach up to 120 MWh per year in a three-shift operation.

Customers and Use Cases

Initial output will equip Siemens’ Mireo Plus B regional trains and future battery-electric locomotives. The company also plans to supply external customers. Siemens says typical battery sizes range from 500 kWh for regional multiple units to 2,000 kWh for locomotives, making the technology suitable for partially electrified or non-electrified routes.

The Bavarian state government is providing EUR 2.7 million in funding. Site development is being managed with Dirnberger Real Estate and Dimonda, which act as developers and landlords.

Timeline

Building completion is planned for spring 2027; series production will begin in October 2027.

Siemens says the investment strengthens the German and EU rail industry’s competitiveness by providing rail-grade battery systems and reducing reliance on automotive specifications. “The new Luhe-Wildenau plant strengthens Germany’s rail battery capability,” said Siemens Mobility CFO Karl Blaim.

Outlook

First fleets using Luhe-Wildenau packs are expected from late 2027.