Hitachi Rail Secures New Deal for Next-Gen Italian High-Speed Trains

A major expansion of Italy’s high-speed rail fleet is underway after Trenitalia signed a new agreement with Hitachi Rail for nine additional next-generation Frecciarossa trains.

The deal, valued at around €260 million, builds on an earlier contract agreed in 2023 that covered 36 trains, later increased by a further 10 units through an option clause. Together, the orders form part of a long-term strategy by Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane to modernise and expand its flagship high-speed fleet.

Under current plans, the number of new Frecciarossa trains in service is expected to reach 57 by 2029, with a further increase to 74 by 2031. The programme is central to efforts to deliver a more modern, efficient and sustainable rail offering both within Italy and across international routes.

The trains will be built at Hitachi Rail’s facilities in Naples and Pistoia, continuing a long-standing manufacturing partnership. Designed for operation across up to seven European rail networks, the new units are intended to support growing cross-border services while maintaining the brand’s reputation for performance and reliability.

Capable of reaching speeds of 300 km/h, with a certified maximum of 360 km/h, the trains will incorporate advanced traction systems aimed at improving efficiency. They will also include accessible spaces for passengers with reduced mobility.

Environmental performance has been a key focus, with the trains achieving a recyclability rate of 97.1% and a material recovery rate of 98.2%. Newly designed electric motors are expected to further reduce energy consumption, while interiors created by Giugiaro Design will introduce updated styling alongside improved onboard systems.

Digital innovation also forms part of the upgrade. The trains will feature Hitachi Rail’s HMAX digital suite, enabling real-time monitoring and optimisation of maintenance, traffic flow and energy use — a step towards more data-driven rail operations.

The agreement underlines a continued push by Trenitalia and Hitachi Rail to enhance high-speed rail standards, with ambitions to strengthen competitiveness and connectivity across Europe’s rail network.

Gianpiero Strisciuglio, Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of Trenitalia said:

“With this investment, Trenitalia takes a further step to strengthen its High-Speed fleet, consolidating Frecciarossa’s position as a benchmark for rail transport in Europe. Our trains are becoming more efficient and more sustainable, to meet our passengers’ expectations. And we will continue to invest in this direction, both in Italy and on international markets, to build an increasingly modern, integrated and future-oriented transport system.”

Luca D’Aquila, COO of Hitachi Rail Group and President of Hitachi Rail in Italy said:

“This new contract confirms and solidifies the long-standing partnership between Hitachi Rail and Trenitalia, along a journey that, over the years, has revolutionised the travel habits of people in Italy and across Europe. This latest-generation model was designed to offer an enhanced travel experience to passengers, ensuring greater comfort with a reduced environmental impact. This train looks to Europe’s future, towards an increasingly integrated high-speed rail network.”

Image: Hitachi Rail