Croatia's state-owned passenger railway company, HŽ Putnički Prijevoz (HZPP), officially commenced operations of the country's first battery-powered train designed specifically for non-electrified lines on September 30, 2025. Manufactured by local electrical concern Končar, this launch marks a significant stride towards modernizing Croatia's railway system and enhancing sustainable public transport.
A Leap Towards Green Mobility
The new battery-powered train, a Battery Multiple Unit (BMU), is a crucial component of the 'Application of Green Technologies in Railway Passenger Transport' project. This initiative aims to replace older diesel trains on non-electrified routes, which constitute approximately 61% of Croatia's railway network. The introduction of this train is expected to significantly reduce CO2 emissions and offer a quieter, cleaner, and more efficient travel experience for passengers. Oleg Butković, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure, highlighted the importance of this milestone, stating it was 'a big step for Croatian industry'.
Technical Specifications and Operational Routes
The two-car battery train boasts a range of approximately 200 kilometers on a single charge and can reach speeds of up to 120 km/h. It is designed for lightly used lines, with typical daily operations averaging 480 km and up to 18 hours. The train features a low-floor design, ensuring accessibility with wheelchair ramps and adapted toilets. Passenger amenities include bicycle spaces, free onboard WiFi, visual and audio station announcements, and multimedia monitors. The roof-mounted NMC battery packs provide an energy capacity of 736 kWh.
Initially, the train will operate on the Virovitica – Bjelovar – Virovitica line. Starting in December 2025, it will expand its service to routes in the Split region, including the Split – Kaštel Stari line. To support these operations, six new charging stations are being constructed in key railway hubs: Bjelovar, Virovitica, Osijek, Varaždin, Pula, and Split Predgrađe. These stations are capable of fully charging the train's batteries in just 30 minutes.
Funding and Future Expansion
The entire project, including the train and charging infrastructure, represents an investment of €17.1 million. A substantial portion, €13.3 million, is financed through the European Union-sponsored National Recovery and Resilience Plan 2021–2026. This funding underscores Croatia's commitment to modernizing its rail infrastructure with sustainable technologies. Željko Ukić, CEO of HZPP, emphasized that the battery train marks a 'turning point in sustainable travel', with these modern, green trains gradually replacing older diesel models.
HZPP is actively renewing its fleet, with 40 new trains delivered in the past four years and another 21, including additional battery and hybrid models, currently on order. Furthermore, contracts have been signed for the delivery of 13 more trains, encompassing electro-diesel, battery-electric, and battery-powered units. By 2026, six new hybrid trains are slated to operate on the Zagreb-Split line, further enhancing the country's green transport capabilities.
7 Comments
Raphael
Quieter, cleaner, and WiFi? Sign me up! Great for passengers.
Michelangelo
Charging stations are still being built. Reliability concerns for operations.
Raphael
It's great to see a move towards cleaner trains, but this single unit won't solve all of Croatia's emissions problems overnight. A broader fleet upgrade is essential.
Michelangelo
Proud of Končar and Croatian innovation. This is huge.
Raphael
Only one train? 61% of lines need more than this.
KittyKat
The local manufacturing by Končar is a definite plus for the economy. However, the long-term operational costs and battery replacement expenses will need careful management.
Loubianka
EU funding is crucial for such projects, showing good international cooperation. Still, relying heavily on external financing for infrastructure development can create future dependencies.