The backbone of environmentally friendly passenger rail transport is clean, preferably zero-emission multiple-unit trains. This makes it even more necessary to retire outdated diesel trains and replace them with energy-efficient electric vehicles. While the first operations with alternately propelled trains began in Europe, other countries have chosen to electrify their individual networks.
Asian countries are moving quickly towards the ambitious objective of increasing regional and suburban mobility and running these services entirely on electricity. India and China may experience significantly greater growth rates in terms of electric multiple unit deliveries. In Europe, the total market presents itself in a steady and resistant image following the hard coronavirus years, but nonetheless falls short of expectations. In Europe, the overall market appears to be steady and resilient following the hard coronavirus years, but it is still falling short of expectations, particularly in terms of fleet decarbonisation. These are the results shown in SCI Verkehr market study "Multiple Units - Global Market Trends".
The market for multiple-unit trains in regional and suburban transportation will expand significantly in the upcoming years, notwithstanding the persistent uncertainties in the world economy. The market for new cars is expected to expand at a rate of 7.1% per year and surpass EUR 16 billion by 2028 (OEM only; after-sales sales excluded). Around 70% of the total volume is made up of single-deck regional and commuter trains, which heavily influence the current OEM level of roughly EUR 12 billion for new vehicles.
In the future, double-deck vehicles with alternatively driven multiple units (XMUs) will play an essential role. Suburban trains are an important driver in Europe, with many Central European countries planning fleet replacements or capacity additions in the near future.
