Stadler and Chicago commuter rail operator Metra have presented a battery-electric FLIRT train developed for the North American market at APTA EXPO 2026.
Metra ordered eight battery-electric FLIRT trainsets from Stadler, with the first trains expected to enter passenger service by 2028. The trains will allow Metra to introduce zero-emission electric operation without requiring complete corridor electrification.
The train was unveiled at APTA EXPO in Chicago on 5 October, giving attendees an opportunity to view the vehicle and Stadler’s alternative propulsion technology.
Martin Ritter, CEO of Stadler North America said:This project is about more than a new train. It is about demonstrating what is possible when agencies and manufacturers work together with a shared vision. It is about bringing proven technology to new markets. And it is about helping shape the future of transportation in North America.
The battery-electric FLIRT is based on Stadler’s existing FLIRT platform and uses onboard lithium-ion batteries to operate on non-electrified railway lines without producing local emissions during operation.
The train can be charged using existing 480V electrical connections at yards and terminals, as well as through dedicated charging infrastructure. Regenerative braking can also recover energy during operation. This allows battery-electric trains to operate on routes where installing conventional overhead electrification may not be economically viable.
Metra’s eight-train order forms part of the operator’s plans to introduce cleaner and more flexible passenger rail services in the Chicago region.
Metra Executive Director and CEO Jim Derwinski said:This purchase demonstrates Metra’s commitment to cleaner power, to quieter trains, and to thinking outside the box as we plan for our future. We are excited to bring this technology, and its efficiency, flexibility, and reliability, to Chicago and to our riders.
Stadler has previously deployed battery-electric versions of its FLIRT platform in Europe. Its FLIRT Akku trains entered passenger service in Germany in 2023, operating on partially electrified regional networks.
The battery-electric trains are designed to replace diesel-powered services on routes where sections of track lack electrification.
Stadler is now applying the technology to the North American market, with the Metra train adapted for the requirements of the US commuter rail network.
For transit agencies, battery-electric trains can provide an alternative to diesel traction while avoiding the infrastructure requirements associated with electrifying an entire route. The trains can also use regenerative braking and electric traction to reduce energy consumption and noise compared with conventional diesel trains.
Read more about the expansion of European rolling stock manufacturers in the US here, with insights from the InnoTrans 2026 opening ceremony.
The Metra order comes as public transport agencies in northeast Illinois actively work to improve connections across the region, with the creation of the Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA).
Tom Kotarac, Chairman of the Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA), said:These new trainsets are coming at a perfect time. As NITA begins its work to create a more cohesive and useful public transportation system in northeast Illinois, we are excited about the potential for these new trainsets to help increase service and improve regional connectivity, while at the same time reducing regional pollution and noise.
The battery-electric FLIRT is on display at APTA EXPO 2026 in Chicago, alongside Stadler’s wider portfolio of alternative propulsion technologies.
