Diesel phase-out
An important lever for becoming climate-neutral by 2040 is the diesel phase-out. The further electrification of our rail network is a key measure in this regard. More than 90% of our rail transports in Germany are already carried out electrically (based on weight-related ton kilometers; Ltkm). We want to further increase this share together with the Federal Government.
| Level of Electrification in Germany / % | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrification of track infrastructure (length of line operated) | 62.3 | 62.3 | 61.7 |
| Electrification of high-performance network 1) | 99.1 | 99.0 | – |
| Electrically operated transport operations of DB Group in rail passenger and freight transport (based on Ltkm) 2) | 93.2 | 93.0 | 92.7 |
1) The electrification of the Fehmarn Belt fixed link, which has yet to be completed, corresponds to about 1% of the high-performance network.
2) Includes only DB Cargo AG from DB Cargo. Excluding Start Deutschland GmbH, excluding switching traffic.
The preliminary planning for the electrification of 55 km of the Landshut — Mühldorf line was completed in 2024. Following the parliamentary referral in the German Parliament, a result is expected in mid-2025, after which the planning can be further specified in the next phases.
For the further diesel phase-out, we are using an approach that is open to all technologies with alternative fuels and drives.
In the diesel phase-out rail (Dieselausstieg Schiene; DaS) program, we are working together across all business units in DB Group. In addition to bundling and coordinating the ramp-up of biofuel HVO No. 164 (hydrotreated vegetable oil) as a bridging technology and immediate climate protection measure, this also entails testing and rolling out alternative drive systems within DB Group. This is aimed at using HVO in the short-term to generate significantsavings in greenhouse gas emissions and to use alternative drives to achieve low-emissions rail transport in the long-term.
Our measures, analyses and testing in the area of “green” technologies also include alternative drives. These are low-emissions alternatives to pure diesel drives. In our advanced TrainLab No. 159 we also test new technologies and fuels for rail transport. In numerous projects and initiatives, we test potential implementation variants for their practicality, in some cases with partners:
- H2goesRail: In the H2goesRail No. 53 project, DB Group tests solutions for the use of green hydrogen and is working with Siemens Mobility on an innovative holistic hydrogen system comprising supply infrastructure, train and maintenance infrastructure. In 2024, the new drive in the Mireo Plus H hydrogen train and the H2 supply from DB Energy were tested in everyday operations. The test program has already provided important findings for a potential fleet-wide application of the technology and was completed at the end of 2024.
- Lower-emissionswork engines: In addition to alternative traction drives, we also rely on alternative drive technologies No. 11 for work engines, which drive cranes and lifting platforms on track work vehicles, for example. To that end, DB InfraGO has launched a project to replace the diesel generators on overhead wire construction vehicles with locally emissions-free technologies such as fuel cells or batteries. For this purpose, the energy requirements of the construction vehiclesʼancillary consumers, such as cranes or lifting platforms, were determined, and the vehicles were measured to gauge the new drive technology. The conversion will start in 2025.
- Overhead wire islands for battery trains: The first overhead wire island systems (Oberleitungsinselanlagen; OLIA) No. 45 for recharging battery-powered trains have been in operation at three locations in Schleswig-Holstein since the end of 2024. Instead of the continual electrification of every kilometer of track, combined with the new battery-electric multiple units, only short sections of track need to be electrified to charge the vehicles’ traction batteries.
- Biofuel HVO: We are also investing in alternative fuels, such as the increased use of the biofuel HVO No. 164. The HVO used by DB Group is produced exclusively from biological residues and waste materials. Compared to conventional diesel it produces about 90% fewer accounted greenhouse gas emissions depending on the composition of the raw material. In 2024, we further accelerated the HVO ramp-up. Six additional DB Energy rail filling stations have been converted to dispense HVO, bringing the total to 21 filling stations in Germany. The volume of HVO used in DB rail transport in Germany is about 19 million l (previous year: about 14 million l), which corresponds to 9.6% (previous year: 6.7%) of total fuel consumption in this area. Through tests and evaluations, 94% of the diesel-powered DB rolling stock has already been approved for the climate-friendly fuel HVO.