Croatia is accelerating its green transport ambitions after signing a €53.6 million deal to purchase six state-of-the-art battery-powered trains and build the country’s first hybrid charging station.
The agreements were signed on Thursday at Government headquarters in Zagreb in the presence of Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, who hailed the investment as another major step towards modernising Croatia’s ageing railway network while cutting carbon emissions.
The new electric-battery trains, built by Croatian manufacturer Končar, will operate across northern Croatia, running on both electrified and non-electrified railway lines. On routes without overhead power lines, the trains will switch seamlessly to battery power, reaching speeds of up to 120 km/h and carrying around 150 passengers.
A new solar-powered charging station, complete with battery energy storage, will also be built at Kotoriba railway station, allowing the trains to recharge using renewable energy.
Prime Minister Plenković described the project as a win for both the environment and the Croatian economy.
“This is an excellent example of how European funding is being invested in Croatian industry,” he said, adding that the investment will not only reduce the railway’s carbon footprint but also support domestic manufacturing and create a more modern transport system for passengers.
The project forms part of Croatia’s wider rail overhaul, with more than €1.5 billion currently being invested in railway infrastructure nationwide.
And there is more to come.
Environment Minister Marija Vučković revealed that Croatia plans to finance 30 additional battery-powered trains, along with new charging stations in Knin, Perković and Benkovac, as the country pushes ahead with its transition away from diesel-powered rail transport.
HŽ Passenger Transport currently operates 70 modern low-floor trains, with another 25 trains already on order and expected to enter service by early 2029.
The new battery trains are expected to dramatically reduce emissions, noise pollution and fuel consumption while helping Croatia meet both national and European Union climate targets.
The investment signals that Croatia’s railways are finally moving into a cleaner, quieter and more sustainable future.