Renfe: just two bidders for high speed train order
posted on 4th Jul 2026 10:10
In spite of all the speculation, on 23 June 2026 it was announced that only two manufacturers had submitted all the correct documentation required by Renfe Viajeros from bidders: Hitachi Rail and Siemens Mobility. Talgo presented the documentation, but after the 23rd, so was excluded. Alstom failed to present a bid.
The budget for the 30 trains (with an option for ten more) was established at 1.262 billion EUR for the 30, rising to 1.777 billion EUR for all 40. The first of the 350 km/h trains must be delivered within 40 months of contract signing.
There is one possible risk that deliveries might not be made on time. Both the Velaro Novo and the ETR 1000 will have to be submitted to authorisation for 350 km/h (with testing at speeds of up to 350 km/h +10 %, in other words, 385 km/h). While two decades ago the Velaro E (Class 103) achieved 405 km/h on test between Guadalajara and Calatayud, it will be necessary for Adif to complete its upgrade of this section of line for regular 350 km/h running, or get the Murcia to Almería line into use by around 2028.
The definitive contract signing, by when it should, under the EU’s laws of transparency, be made known to the general public how much both Siemens and Hitachi bid, is scheduled to take place in September this year.
