The first Czech battery train arrived for tests on the test circuit. Passenger buses in December

The introduction of the first dual-source unit from the Czech manufacturer into operation has progressed to the next phase. A battery electric unit (BEMU) from Škoda Group arrived at the test circuit of the Railway Research Institute today.

It is the first of four units ordered for operation in the Moravian-Silesian region. At first glance, it differs in color, otherwise it is practically the same as RegioPanter. Škoda Group confirmed the start of the tests on its social networks. The vehicle is marked as 15 Ev3.

Four BEMU units were ordered by České dráhy to operate on some lines in the Moravian-Silesian region without competition. The Office for the Protection of Economic Competition fined them six million crowns without authority.

The manufacturer promises to start operations in December. “The production of the first Czech battery trains is proceeding according to plan, and we are counting on delivery to the customer for use in the new schedule,” said Škoda spokesman Jan Švehla.

Battery-powered trains for the Moravian-Silesian region will leave on December 4, manufacturers and politicians believe

The unit should be physically presented to the public at the railway fair in Ostrava in June. As a BEMU, the RegioPanter can travel up to 80 km at a maximum speed of 120 km/h. The batteries located on the roof will then be continuously recharged by driving under the traction line or recuperating energy during braking. The region promises to start the operation of direct trains on the route Veřovice – Ostrava from the four new BEMU units.

One BEMU 160 unit costs 152 million crowns. The Moravian-Silesian Region, which ordered the operation of these units, will pay the difference in the higher price of transport performance.

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BEMU České dráhy Škoda Group

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