![Just over half (62%) of Germany's railway tracks feature overhead power lines. [Image Included]](/en/img/20250507170616_pexels-image-search-image-description-sunset-beach-landscape.jpeg)
Supercharging Germany's Railway Network: Aspirations of 80% Electrification by 2035
New Overhead Line Construction: Anticipated expansion of about 20 kilometers by 2024 within the rail network - Just over 20 kilometers of new rail network overhead lines anticipated by 2024
Let's cut to the chase: Germany's train tracks are like a wild west of diesel dominance, with more than a third remaining inaccessible by electrified trains. In 2020, pitifully only around 20 kilometers of new electrified tracks were installed, according to the Alliance pro Schiene and the Association of German Transport Companies (VDV). This year, they anticipate around 45 kilometers, which pales in comparison to the real deal.
The slightly more electrified 62% of the German railway network is a far cry from the Alliance's dream of 80% by 2035. To make this happen, a whopping 600 kilometers would need to be electrified each year – a far cry from the current paltry 75 kilometers annually seen so far in the state railway network, as per Dirk Flege, CEO of Alliance pro Schiene.
More juice, less crud
But there's a silver lining. The incoming federal government seems to have cottoned on, even though there are no specific expansion targets for overhead lines in the coalition agreement. Instead, the "cost-benefit ratio" will no longer be a hurdle, potentially accelerating electrification projects, says Flege.
Additionally, future financing is looking juicier, with the electrification to be funded from the government's Climate and Transformation Fund, which comes loaded with more coin. With these factors in play, Flege is optimistic about eight times faster expansion compared to the past.
Skilled labor is less of a concern, as the industry is reportedly collaborating to train overhead line workers and hiring more talents.
Borderline conditions
Electrifying rail connections to European neighboring countries is critical, particularly for the burgeoning military transport sector by rail. Unfortunately, only 28 of 57 border crossings are equipped with overhead lines, with Poland and Czech Republic needing a massive catch-up.
- Electrification
- Germany
- Railway Network
- Overhead Line
- Dirk Flege
- Alliance pro Schiene
- Association of German Transport Companies
- Diesel Locomotive
- Railway Track
- Military Transport
What's brewing?
- Infrastructure Investments: The new German government's commitment to boost rail infrastructure investments indirectly supports broader electrification goals.
- Battery-Electric Trains: Orders for battery-electric trains like Stadler's 19 FLIRT Akku, capable of running up to 80 kilometers without overhead wires, suggest a forward-leaning approach towards electrification efforts.
- Energy Transition: The government's emphasis on energy transition could include electrification as part of a broader strategy to reduce carbon emissions.
- Technology Neutrality: The government's approach towards technology neutrality might not directly prioritize electrification, but it supports advancements in e-mobility infrastructure, which could aid electrification efforts indirectly.
In essence, while specific plans for reaching the 2035 goal lack clarity, the government's focus on rail infrastructure and technology advancements may support initiatives to supercharge Germany's electrification efforts. Concrete strategies tailored to this objective, however, largely remain undisclosed in current policy documents.
- To achieve the goal of electrifying 80% of Germany's railway network by 2035, as proposed by the Alliance pro Schiene, the federal government is aiming to boost infrastructure investments, as suggested by Dirk Flege.
- In addition to traditional overhead line electrification, the orders for battery-electric trains like Stadler's 19 FLIRT Akku indicate a more forward-leaning approach towards electrification efforts, as these trains can operate up to 80 kilometers without overhead wires.
- As part of its overall emphasis on energy transition, the government may incorporate electrification as a strategy to reduce carbon emissions in its railway sector, although this has not been explicitly stated.
- In terms of technology neutrality, the government's approach supports advancements in e-mobility infrastructure, indirectly aiding future electrification efforts without directly prioritizing electrification itself.
