PKP Intercity Tests Newag Impuls 3 Hybrid at Żmigród

WARSAW – PKP Intercity’s maiden Impuls 3 hybrid train from Polish manufacturer Newag arrived at the Railway Institute’s test circuit in Żmigród this month, triggering a certification campaign that will run from June to November 2026. The long-distance operator expects the first of 35 diesel-electric units to carry passengers on the Warsaw–Łomża corridor in June 2027, with deliveries continuing until mid‑2029. The entire procurement and maintenance package is valued at EUR 790 million (PLN 3.36 billion).

What Does This Contract Cover?

Signed in July 2024, the agreement commits Newag to supply 35 Impuls 3 hybrid multiple units together with ten years of maintenance services, in which PKP Intercity staff will participate directly. The trains are designed to cover partially electrified long-distance routes; each will reach 160 km/h under electric power and 120 km/h in diesel mode, powered by four Stage V‑compliant engines that provide a range exceeding 920 km on a single tank. Onboard equipment includes ETCS, air conditioning, USB ports, quiet compartments, vending machines, a family zone and two dedicated places for passengers with reduced mobility. Full delivery is scheduled by the end of the second quarter of 2029.

Key Contract Data

How Does This Compare to Similar Contracts?

PKP Intercity’s order dwarfs earlier purchases of Impuls hybrid variants by regional operators. Koleje Śląskie introduced the first Newag Impuls 2 hybrids in 2024, receiving two‑car units with roughly 140 seats and a diesel range of about 800 km (Source: Newag, 2023). At a per‑unit cost of approximately €22.6 million, the PKP Intercity fleet is among the most expensive hybrid multiple‑unit deals in Europe. For context, Hungarian operator MÁV‑START contracted 21 Stadler FLIRT bi‑mode units in 2024 for around €250 million, while the Czech Republic ordered 20 Škoda bi‑mode EMUs in 2025 for roughly €200 million. PKP Intercity’s investment reflects the higher specification required for intercity service—full ETCS, greater seating capacity (179 seats vs. about 120–150 on many regional bi‑modes) and a longer diesel range. The number of cars per Impuls 3 unit, the total engine power output and the exact fuel‑tank capacity were not disclosed by the operator.

Note: Independent verification of earlier Impuls hybrid deployments was drawn from manufacturer communications and industry publications.

Editor’s Analysis

This contract signals PKP Intercity’s strategic pivot to serve towns like Łomża without waiting for decades‑long electrification programmes. It mirrors a broader Central European pattern where hybrid traction acts as a capital‑efficient bridge to full electrification. While the automotive sector sees plug‑in hybrids losing share to pure EVs—in Germany, EV sales reached 33.7% of the car market in Q1 2026 (Source: CleanTechnica, June 2026)—the railway industry lacks a pure battery or hydrogen solution at this scale and speed range, making diesel‑electric hybrids the pragmatic near‑term choice. For Newag, securing a high‑profile intercity order strengthens its credibility against Stadler and Alstom and could open doors in neighbouring markets with similar infrastructure gaps.

FAQ

Q: When will PKP Intercity’s first hybrid train carry passengers?
A: The operator intends to launch InterCity hybrid services between Warsaw and Łomża in June 2027, subject to receiving the service authorisation expected in December 2026.

Q: How many passengers can each Impuls 3 hybrid train accommodate?
A: Each unit offers 179 seats: 156 in second class, 21 in first class, and two dedicated spaces for passengers with reduced mobility.

Q: What is the diesel‑only range of the new trains?
A: Newag states the train can cover more than 920 km on a single fuel tank; the exact fuel capacity and per‑engine power ratings have not been officially confirmed.