EU: Since the beginning of the year, the manufacturer has been awarded contracts with various European customers for the delivery of about 300 Vectron locomotives of different modifications.
Last week, Siemens Mobility announced a major contract with Czech national operator ČD for the supply of 50 three-system Vectron MS electric locomotives and their maintenance for 15 years. It is the first 230 km/h modification to be ordered. The vehicles are supposed to be used for passenger transportation to neighboring countries. The first locomotive is expected to be delivered to the country at the end of 2025.
Also last week Siemens Mobility won a tender for the supply of 90 two-system Vectron AC locomotives and 25 three-system Vectron MS locomotives for MAV-Start in Hungary. It is emphasised that Siemens Mobility was chosen as the winner, as it offered a smaller price for the delivery than was indicated in the tender documentation. According to IRJ, the price for one Vectron AC was reduced to €3.8 mln, for one Vectron MS – to €4 mln. In turn, another bidder – Alstom – offered the supply of Traxx3 dual-system electric locomotives for €4.6 mln, three-system Traxx3 – for €5.1 mln.
Siemens Mobility received another major order in early January this year from the leasing company Railpool. The framework contract provides for the supply of 70 Vectron locomotives of various modifications and an option for other 30 electric locomotives. It is assumed that the vehicles will be operated in 18 EU countries. In the same month, DB Cargo and DB exercised an option to a contract concluded in 2020 for the supply of 50 Vectron Dual Mode hybrid locomotives (catenary + diesel). The start of deliveries is scheduled for 2026.
Vectron Dual Mode hybrid locomotive for Deutsche Bahn. Source: Siemens
Also, an order for electric locomotives was received from the Polish freight operator PKP Cargo, which in February signed a contract for the supply of 5 Vectron MS locomotives and its maintenance for 8 years. Deliveries are scheduled for the first quarter of 2023.
Currently Siemens Mobility has sold 1,327 Vectron locomotives to 61 customers. The Vectron series is manufactured at a plant near Munich and is an evolution of the EuroSprinter platform, which has been produced since the late 1990s. Vectron was first presented at InnoTrans 2010 in four versions: DE (diesel), AC (alternating current), DC (direct current), MS (multi-system). Such a number of modifications was due to the idea of the manufacturer to have a flexible platform to participate in all European tenders with. In 2018, the company abandoned the production of the DE diesel version and replaced it with the Dual Mode hybrid version.
Assembly of the Vectron electric locomotive at the Siemens Mobility plant near Munich, Germany. Source: Siemens
According to SCI Verkehr, in 2017-2021 Siemens and Alstom (including Bombardier) together supplied about 1,800 electric locomotives worldwide (20% of total deliveries). Analysts expect further growth in demand for electric locomotives due to climate goals of various countries to reduce emissions, the need for more powerful vehicles, as well as the revival of long-distance rail passenger transportation in Europe. According SCI Verkehr estimates, in 2022-2026, about 1,250 mainline electric locomotives will be delivered in Europe, of which 35% are already fixed in firm orders, and 20% will be intended for passenger traffic.
