Deutsche Bahn Unveils New ICE L Train with Step-Free Access and Enhanced Connectivity

Premiere in Berlin: A New Era for Rail Travel

Deutsche Bahn (DB) officially unveiled its new ICE L long-distance train at Berlin Ostbahnhof on October 17, 2025. The presentation marked a significant step in modernizing Germany's rail network, introducing the country's first high-speed train with step-free boarding along its entire length. The event was attended by key figures including Evelyn Palla, CEO of DB AG; Dr. Michael Peterson, DB Board Member for Long-Distance Passenger Transport; Patrick Schnieder, Federal Minister of Transport; and Carlos de Palacio y Oriol, Executive Chairman of the Spanish manufacturer Talgo.

The 'L' in ICE L stands for 'low-floor,' highlighting its primary accessibility feature. This design ensures that all doors are flush with standard platform heights of 760 mm, facilitating easy access for all passengers, including those with reduced mobility, strollers, or bicycles.

Innovations in Comfort and Connectivity

The ICE L is equipped with a range of features designed to significantly enhance the passenger experience. These include:

• Step-free boarding across all doors, a first for a German high-speed train.
• Mobile signal-permeable windows, allowing direct mobile phone signal transmission to improve reception without the need for repeaters.
• Redesigned interiors with new materials and colors, complemented by adaptive lighting that adjusts throughout the day.
• 562 newly developed seats, tested by over 1,600 participants, featuring integrated power sockets, folding tables, and tablet holders.
• Accessibility improvements such as wider doors and height-adjustable tables in wheelchair areas.
• DB's largest family section to date, offering 46 seats, and a separate toddler compartment with nine seats.
• LED reservation indicators to show seat availability at a glance.
• Onboard Wi-Fi and entertainment, along with a bistro car.

Technical Specifications and Fleet Expansion

Manufactured by Talgo, the ICE L trains are built on the Talgo 230 platform. Each trainset measures approximately 256 meters in length and consists of a multi-system locomotive and 17 passenger cars. The trains have a maximum operational speed of 230 km/h. The total seating capacity is 562 passengers, comprising 85 seats in first class and 477 in second class.

Deutsche Bahn initially placed an order for 23 trains under a framework contract for up to 100 units, followed by an additional order for 56 trains in 2023, bringing the total to 79 units. While Talgo's own Travca multi-system electric locomotives (DB Class 105) are intended to power the trains, initial services will utilize Siemens Vectron locomotives due to delays in the delivery of the Talgo locomotives.

Rollout and Future Routes

Passenger operations for the ICE L will commence gradually from December 14, 2025, with the first services running between Berlin and Cologne. From May 1, 2026, the trains will be introduced on tourist routes, including connections between Berlin, Hamburg, and Westerland (Sylt). Further expansion from July 11, 2026, will see the ICE L serving additional routes such as Frankfurt (Main) via Gießen, and Cologne via Münster to Westerland (Sylt), as well as the Dortmund–Oberstdorf route. Future plans also include international services to destinations like Amsterdam, Copenhagen, and Vienna.

The introduction of the ICE L is part of DB's strategy to replace older Intercity (IC) trains and significantly improve the travel experience for millions of passengers, aligning with goals for greater comfort, reliability, and sustainability in Germany's long-distance rail network.