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Siemens Mobility and Akiem, one of Europe’s largest locomotive leasing companies, have signed a framework agreement for the purchase of 80 Vectron locomotives. This includes a firm order for 50 of the new Vectron Dual Mode Electric/Battery locomotives and an option for an additional 30 units. These locomotives can operate both under overhead lines and on non-electrified routes using traction batteries. With this new addition to the Vectron family, Siemens Mobility is further developing the Vectron Dual Mode platform (version G05, G13, G18 etc.). The first locomotives are expected to be delivered from 2029/2030 onward, enabling Akiem, as the launch customer, to offer them to the market on a leasing basis.
- This article is part of a new type of article on Railcolornews.com – Rail Tech Insights articles are about engineering and system explainers. They are written by Mr. Bram Hakstege.
Built in proven technology
The new Vectron Dual Mode Electric/Battery is built on the proven Vectron Dual Mode platform and will be available with flexible battery configurations of up to 2 MWh. It is designed to deliver up to 2.4 MW at the wheels, both when drawing power from the overhead line and in battery mode. In addition, a train supply of 480 kW is available.
Like the diesel-powered version, the new Vectron Dual Mode Electric/Battery is designed for speeds of up to 160 km/h and can deliver a maximum tractive effort of 300 kN. Components have been drawn from various Siemens platforms, including developments from simultaious project such as the Charger dual mode locomotives in the United States respectively, as well as the Mireo Plus B multiple units in Europe.
From diesel-Vectron to VDM
The diesel Vectron DE (BR 247) from 2010 turned out to be unsuccesful. It was recognized, however, that many medium-weight trains hauled by diesel locomotives also cover significant distances on electrified lines. From a traction control perspective, it makes no difference whether the internal DC bus (from which variable-frequency AC is generated) is powered by a diesel generator or via rectified current from the overhead line. However, electricity from overhead lines is cheaper and involves lower maintenance costs.
By reducing the fuel tank size in the Vectron DE (from 4,000 to 2,500 liters), space was created for a transformer. Adding a pantograph and making various other modifications led to the Dual Mode variant introduced in 2018 (BR 248), which has since been sold in reasonable numbers. Initially available only for the German 15 kV 16.7 Hz AC system, a version for 25 kV 50 Hz AC—now widely adopted across Europe—was later developed. The added electrical equipment increased the weight to 90 tonnes, but this is not a major issue on key freight corridors. For lighter branch lines, Siemens introduced the Vectron Dual Mode Light in 2022 with a smaller engine.
