Stadler and Metra present the Battery-Electric FLIRT at APTA EXPO - Railvolution

On 5 October, Stadler and Metra announced the first battery‑electric FLIRT built for the U.S. market at the APTA EXPO 2026 in Chicago. The vehicle, named the FLIRT BEMU, is a zero‑emission train designed for Metra, Chicago’s commuter rail operator, and is intended to allow transit agencies to modernise service without installing full‑corridor electrification.

Metra has ordered eight of these battery‑electric trains as part of its pledge to cleaner, more efficient, and more flexible passenger transportation. The eight units are scheduled to enter passenger service in 2028. The FLIRT BEMU uses onboard lithium‑ion batteries and can recharge through several methods: existing 480 V cabling in yards and terminals, dedicated charging infrastructure, and regenerative braking. This multi‑mode charging capability is meant to enable electric service on routes where traditional electrification would be economically impractical.

Northern Illinois Transit Authority Chairman Tom Kotarac commented that the new trains arrive “at a perfect time” as NITA works to create a more cohesive public transportation system in northeast Illinois. He noted that the trainsets could increase service, improve regional connectivity, and reduce regional pollution and noise.

At the expo, visitors could examine the vehicle up close and learn about Stadler’s broader portfolio of alternative propulsion technologies, including battery and hydrogen‑powered rail solutions.