ITALY'S FIRST BATTERY-POWERED TRAIN BY FERROVIE APPULO LUCANE AT EXPOFERROVIARIA 2025. SALVINI: THIS IS TRUE GREEN

“In Italy, we finance those who truly look ahead, creating jobs and wealth with the right investments. The Altamura – Matera train, which will enter service in 2026 allowing less CO2 to be released into the air, is true green. For me, having seen it at the edition two years ago, first as a designed model, and now being able to board it, and from next year to travel on it, is a great emotion.” This was said by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Matteo Salvini, while visiting, at Expoferroviaria 2025 in Milan, the first Italian narrow-gauge train powered exclusively by battery, produced by the Swiss company Stadler for Ferrovie Appulo Lucane, the Transport Company owned by the MIT, which manages connections between Puglia and Basilicata. “We conceived it 2 years ago and now we have made it, respecting the timelines and commitments made,” said Stefano Di Bello, General Director of Ferrovie Appulo Lucane. “In 2023, here at Expoferroviaria, Minister Salvini presented what was then only the courageous and futuristic project of TREEN (the green train), hoping to be able to make the first journey on the train; today we are in front of the first of 7 trains that, by the end of 2026, will be in service on the Altamura – Matera route. From the moment the trains physically arrive on the FAL tracks, it will take 18 months for the necessary technical tests preparatory to entering service and for the setup of the two charging stations in Matera Sud and Altamura. The project was born thanks to the synergy between Fal, Ministry of Transport, Basilicata Region, Municipality of Matera and the great work done together with the previous General Director of Fal, Matteo Colamussi, who strongly believed in this highly green-oriented venture.” The total investment amounts to 63 million euros, partly from the PNRR, partly from the PNRR Complementary Fund, and partly from the PON-PAC 2014-2020. The construction of the trains was entrusted by FAL to Stadler following a public procedure of EU relevance. “We thank Minister Salvini for his usual attention to our Company,” added the President of Ferrovie Appulo Lucane, Vittorio Zizza. “His presence rewards the work we are doing with the entire Board of Directors, management and workforce of Fal, as well as with the Basilicata Region and the Municipality of Matera, with the aim of decarbonizing the railway service on the Altamura – Matera route. Fal has been a strongly ‘green’-oriented Company for years. This is also why the livery we have chosen for TREEN (which, we remind you, is a registered trademark) reflects the idea of sustainability and attention to the environment. With this project, we have demonstrated our willingness to bet on eco-sustainable mobility, also thanks to the foresight of the MIT, the Region and Local Authorities who have always stimulated and supported us in these courageous and innovative investments.” Compared to the use of an equivalent number of diesel trains,
the seven new battery-powered vehicles will allow saving a total of over 1,300 tons of CO2 per year
, which corresponds to 650 flights from Zurich to Thailand. “The presentation of the first battery-powered train ‘Treen’, which from the end of 2026 will connect Altamura with Matera, represents a significant milestone in the modernization of Lucanian infrastructure,” said the Vice President and Councilor for Infrastructure and Transport of the Basilicata Region, Pasquale Pepe. “A result that testifies to the fruitful collaboration between the Region, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, led by Matteo Salvini, and FAL. On decarbonization, there is a need to translate good intentions into concrete actions. In this case, there is an ongoing project that envisages the use of seven battery-powered electric trains for safe, efficient, and interconnected mobility according to the needs of citizens and the territory.” “This is the first narrow-gauge electric train powered entirely by battery, in Italy and Europe. A one hundred percent green that will change the future of sustainable mobility in Basilicata,” explained Maurizio Oberti, Sales Director for the Italian market at Stadler. “We are very proud to bring our innovative green technologies to the Italian market and thus contribute to the eco-sustainability of the Municipality of Matera and the Basilicata Region. We thank FAL for the excellent collaboration established within the project.” The theme of eco-sustainability is reflected in all the characteristics and functionalities of the new trains: from the innovative battery propulsion to the ecological LED interior lighting system, updated to the most recent energy standards; from the seat upholstery, made with recycled materials, to the green area for e-bikes. The batteries have a high specific energy and allow short charging times and considerable operational autonomy. Passengers will also benefit from comfortable, functional, and bright furnishings, large panoramic windows, and low-floor access that allows easy boarding even for people with reduced mobility.

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