USA: The $154 mln contract with the regional operator Metra covers the supply of eight two-car trainsets.
The operator can also exercise a $181.4 mln option to buy additional eight two-car sets and 32 trailing cars, facilitating the formation of three- or four-car trains. The deliveries are expected to begin in 2027–2028. The purchase was made with a $169.3 mln purchase grant that Metra received in October 2023.
Initially, the operator planned to convert six diesel locomotives to battery traction, but the selected contractor, Progress Rail, declined the order.
Since 2023, Stadler has been developing a two-car BEMU based on the hybrid FLIRT Akku for the US market. The operational range is said to be 72–104 km, while charging from 20% to 80% will take 20–30 minutes. Stadler has also been ordered a double-deck bi-level hybrid train (catenary + battery) for the US operator Caltrain.
