Alstom has signed an agreement with Sweden’s national rail operator SJ to supply 25 Zefiro Express electric high-speed trains.

The contract, valued at approximately 650 million euros (708.95m USD), includes an option for 15 additional trains.

The new trains will effectively be Sweden’s fastest ever, capable of operating at maximum speeds of 250km/h.

© Alstom

The Zefiro Express is part of Alstom’s high and very high-speed Avelia platform, which offers maximum operating speeds of 200–350 kilometres an hour.

For this contract, the Zefiro will be capable of travelling at speeds of up to 250 kilometres an hour, making it the fastest in Sweden. This – and its 363 seats ergonomically designed for maximum comfort – will help position rail as a viable alternative to air travel.

Rob Whyte, Managing Director, Alstom Nordics, said:“Alstom is immensely proud to be delivering these new high-speed trains to SJ. This is a historic agreement that will change the way passengers travel across the country.

“With concerns about climate change, high-speed rail is the primary alternative to air travel. It’s comfortable, convenient and now very fast.”

The Zefiro Express has been designed to operate in harsh weather conditions including temperatures of -40 degrees celsius. The carriage width, electrical and signalling systems have been developed to run in both Sweden and Denmark, but the trains will also be certified for use in Norway.

The first train is scheduled for delivery in four years’ time.