Germany: According to the manufacturer, the delay is caused by the necessity to refine the battery module and software.
The COVID-19 pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine are reported to be additional reasons for the late delivery. The German Federal Railway Authority EBA is expected to commence certification of the new rolling stock by the end of this year. The process is going to take five months.
In 2020, the Central Saxony Transport Authority VMS ordered 11 three-car Coradia Continental trains of series 1440.4 with a battery range of 120 km. The new battery configuration is based on the Coradia 1440.3 EMUs which are already in operation. The BEMUs are additionally equipped with 840 kWh lithium-ion battery packs.
The new trains were scheduled to enter service initially in December 2023, then delayed by the mid of 2024, and now the deadline is postponed to late 2025. As an excuse for late delivery, Alstom is going to fund the interim hire of four double-deck push-pull trains, three coaches each, of the Waggonbau Görlitz (Germany) production, until the expected BEMUs are put in operation.
