Germany: Under the contract, signed with the public transport operator SWU, 18 Avenio M trams, produced in 2018–2023, are to be expanded from five to seven cars.
Thus, the vehicle’s length will increase from 31 to 43 m and the maximum capacity from 185 to 256 passengers. It will cost €45.9 mln, with 40% covered by funding from the state of Baden-Württemberg. An additional €28 mln are needed to expand the depot.
The work will be carried out at the plant in Wegberg-Wildenrath, where the trams are to be delivered by rail. The first vehicle is to return to Ulm in early 2027, with tests on a local net preceding the launch. All trams are to be fully converted by mid-2028.
A similar contract was signed in March by Alstom. The company will expand 34 Citadis 302 trams by 12 m for €57 mln in Le Mans, France. This move should increase the passenger capacity by 85 people.