Hitachi Rail has secured a contract with Trenitalia to the supply 30 new ETR1000 high-speed trains, with the option for an additional ten trains.

The initial order value is €861 million with a further €287 million for the follow-on option. The new fleet will be built at Hitachi’s factories in Italy, in Naples and Pistoia, near Florence. The first trains are scheduled to delivered in spring 2026 with successive deliveries following at eight to ten trains per year.

Trenitalia plans to use the new trains mainly in Italy, but they are suitable for use elsewhere in Europe, including high-speed lines in France, Germany, Spain, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium and the Netherlands.

ETR1000s have been operating in Spain for over a year, and on cross-border services between Paris and Milan since 2021.

Onboard technology makes the trains suitable for use on different types of national railway infrastructure and can be used for pan-Europe journeys as they can switch seamlessly between different power supplies and signalling systems and can operate on both on both AC and DC supplies.

They have been designed to meet each country’s safety and operating requirements, and have in-cab signalling equipment that provides an interface with national railway systems.

Since 2010 Trenitalia, Ferrovie dello Stato Group has taken delivery of 58 ETR1000s with a further six on order, and with the latest order of 30 more the final total will be 94. The trains will bear the iconic red Frecciarossa 1000 livery and in passenger service have a top speed of 350 km/h in operation.

With the use of light alloys for the vehicle’s bodyshell the trains have an excellent weight/power ratio and impressive acceleration that allows line speed to be reached quickly, reducing journey times and contributing to their in Italy. for PCs and smartphones. The ETR1000 trains are approximately 200 metres long, can accommodate 460 seated passengers, and have an onboard bistro area.

Whilst the new trains retain the main features of those already in operation, they will have an updated interior with excellent sound proofing, adjustable LED lighting, air conditioning, and easy access for people with reduced mobility. Additional features include digital information systems, wi-fi ,and USB and power sockets.

Luca D’Aquila, COO Hitachi Rail Group and CEO Hitachi Rail Italy, said “The ETR1000s represent a real turning point in the travel habits of Italian passengers, and they are doing so also in Europe.”

“This new contract confirms our commitment, as a partner of Trenitalia and Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane Group, in offering safe, innovative, comfortable and green mobility solutions, further improving connections across Italy and from Italy to Europe. The new trains will have cutting-edge features and a renewed and even more functional design that we are sure will be appreciated by passengers and our customers.”

The trains, like the previous ETR1000s, will have the iconic red Frecciarossa 1000 livery and are planned to be used primarily for the Italian high speed network. However, the trains are also able to run across Europe, including on high speed lines in France, Germany, Spain, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium and the Netherlands. Thanks to the onboard technology, the fleet is capable of travelling on different types of national railway infrastructure – switching seamlessly between the different power supplies and signalling system – in order to complete pan-Europe journeys.