On 29 September 2025, HŽ Passenger Transport officially introduced Croatia's first battery-powered train into passenger service. The train was produced by KONČAR – Electric Vehicles.
The unit will also be used to test newly installed charging stations, which are in the final stages of construction. Once the facility at Split Predgrađe is operational—planned for mid-December—the unit will begin service on the Split–Kaštel Stari–Split line.
This battery unit is the second vehicle delivered under the project. The first, an electric battery train, has been in operation since May 2025 on the Zagreb–Bjelovar–Zagreb route. The wider programme includes the installation of six charging stations across Bjelovar, Virovitica, Osijek, Varaždin, Pula, and Split.
The battery train is a two-car, low-floor unit with 113 seats and 114 standing places. It includes a designated area for bicycles, toilets adapted for wheelchair users, and ramps for improved accessibility. The interior is equipped with video surveillance, visual and audio announcements, information displays, and Wi-Fi. The train is designed for a maximum speed of 120 km/h and an operational range of approximately 200 kilometres on a single charge. Batteries are recharged exclusively at dedicated stations, with charging times of up to 30 minutes.
HŽ Passenger Transport currently operates 68 new trains, 40 of which were delivered over the past four years. The company plans to expand its fleet with 21 additional units, including diesel, battery, and hybrid trains. Two diesel units are expected to enter service by the end of 2025, followed by six hybrid trains in 2026 for the Zagreb–Split corridor.
The project is part of a broader modernisation effort of Croatia’s rail system. Infrastructure upgrades include the Dugo Selo–Novska line, valued at over EUR 600 million, and the upcoming completion of the Zagreb–Hungarian border section, which will complete the overhaul of that corridor.
