Stadler and Chicago commuter rail operator Metra unveiled a battery‑electric FLIRT train at the APTA EXPO 2026 in Chicago on 5 October. The train is based on Stadler’s existing FLIRT platform and uses onboard lithium‑titanate (LTO) batteries, allowing operation on non‑electrified railway lines without local emissions. Charging can be performed through existing 480 V electrical connections at yards and terminals or via dedicated charging infrastructure, and regenerative braking recovers energy during operation.
Metra has ordered eight battery‑electric FLIRT trainsets from Stadler, with the first units expected to enter passenger service by 2028. The order is part of Metra’s strategy to introduce cleaner and more flexible passenger rail services in the Chicago region, providing an alternative to diesel traction while avoiding the infrastructure costs of full corridor electrification. The new trainsets are timely as the Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA) works to improve regional connectivity in northeast Illinois.
Stadler has previously deployed battery‑electric versions of its FLIRT platform in Europe; the FLIRT Akku trains entered passenger service in Germany in 2023 on partially electrified regional networks. The company is now adapting the technology for the North American market, tailoring the Metra train to the requirements of the U.S. commuter rail network.
The presentation at APTA EXPO 2026 highlighted the collaboration between agencies and manufacturers, demonstrating how proven technology can be brought to new markets and shaping the future of transportation in North America.
