How are we spending the money from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan? In part, to renew the train fleet, as part of a continuously modernizing railway network. Among the objectives of the FS Group, and in this case Trenitalia, is a €525 million investment for purchase 38 new Intercity trains and profoundly renew the medium- and long-distance service offering throughout the country, even on less-served and non-electrified lines. In short, we can't live on Frecciarossa trains alone, and thanks to the PNRR, 13 new hybrid trains (electric, diesel, and battery) and 6 battery-powered trains, both manufactured by Hitachi Rail, will enter service, as well as 12 electric trains manufactured by Alstom and capable of reaching speeds of 200 kilometers per hour, in addition to the 7 new hybrid trains already in operation.
The arrival of the new vehicles will allow us to offer higher performances, lower emissions and greater reliability, even on mixed or non-electrified traction lines. The first trains will enter service as early as the beginning of 2026, with deliveries expected to be completed by June 2026"The new Intercity trains," Trenitalia explains, "represent a concrete lever for reducing infrastructure gaps between different areas of the country, promoting territorial equity and accessibility across the entire national network. The PNRR funds (including those from the REPowerEU mission) have made it possible to launch a transformation that affects in particular the central-southern areas and non-electrified lines, strategic axes for social cohesion and local development. The new technologies introduced allow us to bring quality services even to routes previously less served by modern trains, ensuring greater comfort, reliability, and punctuality.
Compared to the old Intercity trains, the new trains will be more modern with automated refreshment points, bicycle and luggage areas, as well as dedicated spaces for families and passengers with reduced mobility. The interior design has also been completely redesigned. The renewal of the Intercity fleet is part of the vision outlined by FS Group Strategic Plan 2025–2029, which envisages a total investment of €100 billion. Of this, over €60 billion will be allocated to strengthening the national infrastructure network. "The Intercity train renewal program further strengthens FS's role as a driver of the ecological and digital transition of Italian mobility, in line with European decarbonization and sustainability objectives," the company continues.
