The state-owned limited liability company “Autotransporta direkcija” (ATD) has signed an agreement with the Central Finance and Contracting Agency (CFLA) for the implementation of the European Union Cohesion Fund project “Acquisition of the battery electric multiple unit (BEMU) trains".
On 11 December 2025, a contract was signed with Škoda Group for the purchase of 9 battery-electric trains. The total contract amount is €89,409,387.00. The battery-electric trains will be purchased using funding from the European Union Cohesion Fund and national financing. Delivery of the battery trains is scheduled by 2029.
Battery-electric trains are a significant investment for Latvia to strengthen the role of railways as the backbone of public transport and to improve the quality and accessibility of passenger transportation. During the journey, passengers will be able to enjoy all modern comforts: climate control, reduced noise and vibration, modern restroom facilities, power outlets, and USB-C charging points.
The new trains will be adapted for all passenger groups and will comply with the latest European accessibility requirements. They will feature a modern passenger information system and spaces for passengers using wheelchairs. Conditions will also be improved for cyclists. While older diesel trains typically have high floors and only 3 bicycle spaces, the new battery trains will provide space for 8 bicycles in the low-floor area, including 4 vertically mounted and 4 horizontally placed bicycles.
In the coming years, not only will passengers have greater comfort and travel speed be significantly improved, but more environmentally friendly transport will also be ensured — battery-electric trains are quieter and produce no emissions, making them more friendly both to passengers and to residents living near railway tracks.
The new battery-electric trains will resemble the electric trains already introduced into service. They will consist of 2 carriages, feature a low-floor design, and provide 188 seats, including 24 seats in first class. The new trains will have a maximum design speed of up to 160 km/h, and up to 120 km/h when operating in battery mode. Significantly better acceleration compared to the existing diesel trains is expected to allow fuller use of the available 120 km/h railway infrastructure and reduce travel time by approximately 15–25 minutes. As a result, the trains will become competitive with private cars.
Battery-electric trains (BEMU – Battery Electric Multiple Unit) are electric trains additionally equipped with batteries to serve non-electrified railway sections. They can be charged both while operating on electrified lines and at dedicated charging stations. These new battery trains will primarily operate on the Daugavpils and Cēsis routes, where the necessary charging infrastructure will be built.
Currently, passenger services on non-electrified lines are provided by 23 diesel trains manufactured between 1980 and 1992. These 9 new battery-electric trains will replace part of the existing diesel fleet. The train procurement contract also includes an option to purchase an additional 7 trains, should the necessary funding be secured. This would allow the replacement of the majority of diesel trains and the servicing of additional destinations such as Rēzekne and Valmiera.
Therefore, further efforts will still be required to find and secure solutions for replacing the remaining diesel train fleet, in order to ensure convenient, comfortable, and modern railway passenger services that meet today’s standards.
