Stadler has introduced the prototype of the RS ZERO, the innovative successor to the highly successful RS1 Regio-Shuttle.
For 28 years, the Regio-Shuttle has been a staple in German regional rail transport, with approximately 500 RS1 vehicles currently in service in Germany and the Czech Republic. Building on this proven technology, Stadler is now integrating cutting-edge, environmentally friendly drive systems into the RS ZERO. This new model is available with either hydrogen and/or battery drives, setting new benchmarks for eco-friendly rail transport and presenting a world first.
Continuing the legacy of the RS1, Stadler is addressing contemporary challenges with the RS ZERO’s sustainable powertrains. The RS ZERO maintains the distinctive trapezoidal window strips of the RS1, blending them into a futuristic design featuring a modern LED wing.
“The Regio-Shuttle RS1 is an important part of Stadler’s history. We delivered the last vehicle to a customer 11 years ago. Now I am delighted that we start a new chapter in this success story with the RS ZERO which enables us to further expand our technological leadership in the field of alternative drive technologies,” says Peter Spuhler, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Stadler Group.
In Germany, 38 percent of railway lines are not electrified, and in Europe, the figure rises to 43 percent. The transport transition aims to shift significantly more traffic to rail, necessitating the reactivation of old and non-electrified lines in Germany and Europe.
With its battery and hydrogen drives, the RS ZERO provides a solution for locally CO2 emission-free operation on these routes. It is adaptable to both electrified lines and those requiring hydrogen refuelling stations or charging islands. Thanks to its lightweight design and an axle load of less than 18 tonnes, it is economically viable even on secondary routes with low traffic density.
Photo and Video credits:Stadler
