Production of the new generation of Škoda trains for operator Arriva has reached a significant milestone, with the manufacturer having finalised the design and technical preparation of the project and commenced production of prototypes for both variants of the new trains at its plant in Ostrava.
The first two car bodies have been completed in their basic, welded form, and the first of these has already been painted. Assembly of the prototype vehicles is scheduled to begin in September.
At the same time, Škoda is continuing to test key components and is preparing the traction and control system.
In this way, “the project is gradually moving from the development stage to physical production (…) and “Czech industry will play a significant role in the production of these new trains. We expect local suppliers to account for approximately 80 per cent of total deliveries,” explained Tomáš Ignačák, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Škoda Group.
In July 2025, the Škoda Group and Arriva signed a contract worth EUR 289 million (CZK 7 billion) for the delivery of at least 22 low-floor EMUs, based on the new Škoda 26Ev platform. The trains will be delivered in different configurations: 16 three-multiple-unit trains with 224 seats, and 6 four-multiple-unit trains with a capacity of 315 seats. Both variants will also feature a first-class compartment.
With a top speed of 200 km/h, the trains are due to enter service from December 2028 on the Ex6 Prague–Pilsen–Cheb and R16 Prague–Beroun–Pilsen–Klatovy / Železná Ruda routes.
The train prototypes are being built in Ostrava
The Ostrava factory is currently producing the prototypes for both train variants, designated EMU200 and EMU300 within the project. The welded base structures of the first two car bodies have been completed, and the next car bodies are due to roll off the production line at intervals of approximately two weeks.
Assembly of the prototypes will begin in September, and the trains will be progressively fitted with bogies, traction and control systems, interior fittings and other components.
In parallel with the production of the prototypes, type tests are being carried out on individual components to verify their compliance with the required technical and safety parameters.
In collaboration with the RICE research centre at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering of the University of West Bohemia in Plzeň, the Škoda Group is commencing testing of the traction system. The development and verification of the trains’ software will take place at Škoda Digital.
Testing of complete prototype trains is scheduled to begin in spring 2027. Subsequently, the necessary tests for type approval of the new vehicle type and preparations for series production will take place.
New platform for long-distance transport
The Škoda trains for Arriva are based on the Škoda 26Ev platform, designed for interregional and long-distance transport. These will be dual-system trains, capable of running on lines electrified at 3 kV DC and 25 kV AC.
The trains can also be adapted to operate on 15 kV AC systems, such as those used in Germany. The maximum operating speed will be 200 km/h.
The new trains will meet strict requirements regarding passenger comfort, pressure-tightness and fire safety, which will enable them to run on high-speed lines and through tunnels over 5 km long.
Features include air conditioning, Wi-Fi, power sockets for charging devices, passenger information systems and CCTV, as well as a toilet accessible to people with reduced mobility.
The trains will also be fitted with ETCS, remote vehicle diagnostics technology and an automatic train operation (ATO) system. The ATO system enables trains to operate in the most energy-efficient mode available at any given time. It adjusts speed according to the timetable and the track’s gradient profile and optimises braking.
Based on real-world operating data from similar Škoda trains in service in the Baltic states, the system can reduce energy consumption by up to 15 per cent.
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