On December 15, the country’s first battery-powered passenger train, manufactured at the Polish plant of Stadler, a Swiss group company, arrived in Lithuania. The new rolling stock is part of LTG Link’s fleet renewal program: by the end of 2026, the company plans to receive six battery-powered trains, adding a total of 15 new trains to its fleet – nine electric trains and six battery-powered ones. According to LTG Link CEO Kristina Meide, the project reflects the company’s commitment to making rail travel more sustainable, comfortable, and modern.
Stadler’s battery-powered trains are equipped with a separate car containing a fast-charging, extended-life lithium battery, through which passengers can freely pass. When traveling under overhead power lines, the batteries are charged via a pantograph, and on non-electrified sections, the train switches to autonomous mode, capable of traveling up to 70 km without recharging. LTG Link is considering purchasing trains with a range of up to 100 km. The trains’ maximum speed is up to 160 km/h under overhead power and up to 120 km/h in battery mode.
In Lithuania, the new trains will operate on the Vilnius–Varėna (Marčinkonys) and Kaunas–Šiauliai routes. A charging station will be installed in Varėna for the longer Vilnius–Marčinkonys line, while no additional infrastructure will be required on the Kaunas–Šiauliai route. The trains are designed to accommodate 128 passengers and are fully accessible for people with disabilities. They are equipped with elevators, ramps, accessible restrooms, and vending machines for coffee and snacks. Regular passenger service with the new rolling stock is scheduled to begin in the first half of 2027.