Electrification of German railways falling behind

Germany plans to electrify only around 66 kilometres of railway lines in 2025, falling well short of its targets to expand overhead electricity lines and replace diesel-powered trains, according to a transport ministry reply to a parliamentary inquiry as reported by news agency dpa. Germany aims to electrify 75 percent of its 33,000-kilometre railway network by 2030. Currently, just over 60 percent of the railway network is electrified.

Around 80 kilometres have been added each year over the past 13 years, newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine reported. To achieve the 2030 electrification target, an additional 600 kilometres of overhead lines would need to be built every year, according to transport NGO Allianz pro Schiene. Busy routes usually have overhead lines, which means that the proportion of rail transport powered by electricity stands at around 90 percent, according to the railway lobby group.

Greenhouse gas emissions in Germany's transport sector have remained stubbornly high for years. In addition to a switch to electric vehicles, the government aims to strengthen rail freight and increase the number of passengers. While regional rail trips have seen significant growth since the introduction of a nationwide public transport ticket, long-distance train passengers decreased by six percent in the first half of 2024. The drop was partly down to lengthy travel disruptions, delays and packed trains.