CAF Launches Certification Tests for Renfe Series 480 EMUs

MADRID – Spanish Minister of Transportation and Sustainable Mobility Óscar Puente recently visited the Velim Testing Center in the Czech Republic to inspect certification testing of the new CAF Series 480 EMUs being built for national operator Renfe. The 70‑unit order, part of a wider EUR 520 million fleet renewal programme, is due to enter commercial service in Valencia in 2027. The exact date of the visit was not publicly disclosed.

What Is the Full Scope of This Project?

The procurement covers 70 CAF Series 480 regional and commuter EMUs, comprising 61 Iberian‑gauge (1,668 mm) trains and nine UIC standard‑gauge trains. The first units are expected to begin revenue operations in the Valencia region in 2027, serving connections on the Mediterranean Corridor. Each train accommodates up to 264 passengers and can reach 200 km/h. The units are dual‑voltage and fitted with onboard batteries, enabling catenary‑free travel on short non‑electrified sections. Testing at Velim—Europe’s premier independent test centre—evaluates braking, acceleration, electromagnetic compatibility, signalling systems, noise and vibration, using its two dedicated loops (13.2 km up to 230 km/h and 3.9 km up to 90 km/h).

Key Project Data

How Does This Compare to Similar Projects?

The EUR 520 million order equates to an average of EUR 7.43 million per unit. By comparison, Renfe’s 2021 order for 152 Alstom Coradia Stream Cercanías EMUs was valued at EUR 1.447 billion, yielding a per‑unit cost of approximately EUR 9.5 million (Source: Alstom, 2021), though that contract included maintenance provisions. For battery‑capable regional EMUs, Siemens Mobility’s Mireo Plus B units ordered by DB Regio in 2020 fell within a EUR 7–8 million per‑unit range (Source: Siemens Mobility, 2020), placing the CAF order in a similar price band. The battery traction system, which allows off‑wire operation on partly electrified routes, adds capability not present in earlier Spanish regional diesel‑ or full‑electric fleets. No comparable battery‑equipped EMU order for Renfe existed before this programme. The full production and delivery ramp‑up schedule was not disclosed.

Note: Independent verification of the per‑unit contract value from CAF or Renfe was not available at time of publication. The exact number of trains to be deployed on each gauge was not broken down further.

Editor’s Analysis

Placing battery‑equipped EMUs on the Mediterranean Corridor signals a deliberate strategy to boost capacity on partially electrified regional networks without waiting for full overhead line extensions. CAF strengthens its position in the dual‑voltage/battery regional market at a time when European demand for such trains is rising; the UNIFE World Rail Market Study forecasts that battery electric multiple units will capture an increasing share of the regional rolling stock segment through 2027. For Renfe, committing EUR 520 million to regional services reinforces the operational pivot away from diesel traction, aligning with EU decarbonisation targets and the Spanish government’s rolling stock renewal push.

FAQ

Q: How many passengers can each new CAF Series 480 train carry?
A: Each train has capacity for up to 264 passengers, configured for regional and commuter services.

Q: When will the first of the new trains enter passenger service?
A: The first units are scheduled to enter commercial operation in the Valencia region in 2027, with the remaining fleet to follow over an undisclosed delivery window.

Q: Can these trains run on lines without overhead electrification?
A: Yes, the Series 480 are dual‑voltage and equipped with batteries that permit short‑distance operation on non‑electrified sections, removing the need for continuous catenary power.