Italian railway operators Azienda Regionale Sarda Trasporti (ARST) and Ferrovie della Calabria (FdC) have awarded Stadler two framework agreements for the supply and maintenance of 10 H₂ trains for ARST in Sardinia and 15 similar vehicles for FdC in Calabria. This will make Stadler the first train manufacturer in the world to supply narrow-gauge trains with H₂ propulsion. In addition, after delivering the FLIRT H₂ for American passenger transport, Stadler is now also supplying H₂ trains to Europe for the first time. As initial call-off orders from the framework agreements, ARST and FdC signed two contracts with Stadler in Rome for the delivery of the first 12 H₂ trains, 6 for each of the Italian companies.

Following two public tenders launched in June, Italian railway operators ARST in Sardinia and FdC in Calabria have each awarded Stadler a framework agreement for the design, production, delivery and maintenance of 10 and 15 trains respectively. The vehicles will be equipped with ecological fuel cell and H₂ propulsion and be dedicated to regional and suburban services for the narrow-gauge (950-mm) network in the two Italian regions. Both projects are being financed with EU funds from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR).

Initial call-off orders from these framework agreements have been placed for the supply of 6 H₂ trains for ARST and a further 6 vehicles for FdC. The vehicles will be developed and built at Stadler 's headquarters in Bussnang (Switzerland).

The two framework agreements and initial call-off orders will enable Stadler to further strengthen its leading role in the decarbonization of rail transport. Stadler is the world's first railway manufacturer to develop, build and deliver narrow-gauge multiple units with H₂ propulsion. For Stadler, this is also the first order for H₂ trains in Europe. It follows Stadler's delivery of the FLIRT H₂, the world’s first H₂ train, for American passenger transport. The two orders from ARST and FdC are also the first contracts for narrow-gauge multiple units with H₂ propulsion for use in Italy.

Ansgar Brockmeyer, Executive Vice President Marketing & Sales of Stadler said, “Stadler enjoys a long and innovative partnership with ARST and FdC. We are proud to be working together to drive forward the decarbonization of rail transport in Italy. The new narrow-gauge trains with H₂ propulsion are a world premiere and will pioneer sustainable rail transport on narrow-gauge lines worldwide. We would like to thank ARST and FdC for their trust in us and look forward to expanding our partnership even further in the future.”