By Kevin Smith, International Railway Journal; April 2, 2020
BADEN-Württemberg is the latest German state to join a revolution underway in railway traction, which promises to bridge the gap between diesel ubiquity and electric sustainability.
State-owned leasing company Baden-Württemberg State Rail Vehicle Authority (SFBW) confirmed on March 17 that it is purchasing 20 Mireo Plus B battery-electric multiple units (BEMU) from Siemens for operation on Network 8 of the Ortenau regional system. The state follows Rhine-Main, Schleswig-Holstein, Mid Saxony and Lower Saxony in procuring alternative traction passenger vehicles to replace diesel trains in recent years.