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Germany's Rail Electrification Faces Urgent Acceleration Needs

With only 62% of tracks electrified and a sluggish pace of expansion, new policies aim to meet the ambitious 2035 target of 80% coverage.

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Overview

  • Germany added just 20 kilometers of electrified rail lines in 2024, far below the annual 600 kilometers needed to meet the 2035 goal.
  • Currently, 62% of the rail network is electrified, leaving over a third of tracks reliant on diesel locomotives.
  • The new coalition government has removed cost-benefit requirements and allocated funds from the Climate and Transformation Fund to accelerate progress.
  • Cross-border connectivity remains a significant challenge, with only 28 of 57 international crossings equipped with overhead lines, particularly at borders with Poland and the Czech Republic.
  • Industry leaders are optimistic about workforce readiness, citing joint training initiatives for overhead-line installers to support the increased pace of electrification.