Prague, 10 September 2026 – Škoda Group, a leading European manufacturer of solutions for modern and zero-emission public transport, will present itself at InnoTrans 2026 in Berlin, the world’s leading trade fair for railway and transport technology. From 22 September, it will showcase a cross-section of its portfolio – from battery trains and the latest generation of trams to battery trolleybuses, digital technologies, signalling systems and components. The programme will also include a series of product presentations, press events and discussions with Škoda Group customers from European markets.

“InnoTrans is where the entire world of public transport comes together, and where we want to demonstrate that Škoda Group today offers much more than individual vehicles. We are able to combine modern rail and road vehicles with digital technologies, signalling systems, drives and other key components. In Berlin, we are also bringing solutions that are no longer merely a vision of the future – they have been proven in everyday operation and help our customers in different countries make public transport more attractive, safer and more efficient,” says Petr Novotný, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Škoda Group.

New-generation battery train: electric rail transport even where overhead lines are not yet available

One of Škoda Group’s main exhibits will be the new generation of the BEMU RegioPanter battery-electric train, which will make its InnoTrans debut. The train combines standard electric operation under overhead lines with battery operation on non-electrified sections, enabling zero-emission regional rail services to be introduced quickly without waiting for an entire route to be electrified. In battery mode, it offers a range of at least 80 kilometres and a speed of up to 120 km/h; under overhead lines, it can reach up to 160 km/h. Škoda Group’s battery technologies have also quickly established themselves as a significant European export product – the company currently has more than one hundred vehicles using battery technology at various stages of production and on order.

ForCity Plus 52T tram: technology proven in one of Europe’s most demanding tram networks

The Škoda ForCity Plus 52T tram will also be showcased at InnoTrans and is already undergoing a demanding everyday test in Prague’s tram network. The five-section, 100% low-floor tram combines fully and partially pivoting bogies, high capacity and modern digital technologies, including an advanced anti-collision system using LiDAR, cameras and precise localisation. The 52T concept is not limited to Prague – the vehicle design can be adapted to the differing requirements of other European cities. The tram’s design, created in-house at Škoda Group, also received the prestigious Red Dot Award in 2026.

Battery trolleybuses for Esslingen: a path towards 100% electric urban public transport

In Berlin, Škoda Group will also present its project for new battery trolleybuses for Esslingen am Neckar in Germany, an example of a comprehensive transformation of urban public transport towards fully electric operation. The contract comprises a total of 52 vehicles – ten 12-metre Škoda 32Tr trolleybuses and 42 articulated 18-metre Škoda 33Tr vehicles. The vehicles combine operation under overhead lines with traction-battery operation and can travel up to 25 kilometres away from the overhead network. The project also symbolically marks the return of Škoda trolleybuses to the German market.

Digital technologies: from smart cities to automated vehicle inspection

Digital technologies for modern public transport, automation and Smart City solutions will form an important part of Škoda Group’s presentation. The Group will showcase solutions that connect vehicle data with fleet management, diagnostics and maintenance. Fleet Management enables operators to plan vehicle movements and monitor availability, while predictive diagnostics uses operational data and artificial intelligence to detect potential faults before they occur. Visual Inspection automatically checks selected parts of vehicles and identifies damage, deformation or other abnormal conditions.

Another area is operational automation. The Smart Depot concept integrates technologies for autonomous vehicle shunting and parking, managing vehicle movements, obstacle detection and response in operation and automated passage through a washing facility.

Signalling systems: European signalling systems integrated into a single solution

A dedicated part of the programme will feature The Signalling Company, part of Škoda Group, which will present further developments in railway signalling technology. The focus will be on Automatic Train Protection and the software-defined RailOS platform, which enables ETCS to be integrated together with national Class B signalling systems. The integration of Germany’s PZB system will also be presented at InnoTrans, extending the platform’s coverage to 22 European countries.

Components: In-house technologies as part of Škoda Group’s comprehensive portfolio

At the trade fair, Škoda Group will also showcase its capabilities in the field of key components and battery solutions. The development and production of its own components, particularly traction drives, batteries and traction motors, form an important part of the Group’s strategy, enabling it to combine its expertise in complete vehicles with technologies for propulsion, control, batteries and other systems. At InnoTrans, this area will be presented in a dedicated product showcase focused on Škoda Group’s Battery Propulsion Solutions.

During the first two days of the trade fair, Škoda Group has prepared a series of presentations and discussions for the media. Product presentations will take place at the Škoda Group exhibition stand unless stated otherwise for a specific event.

Tuesday, 22 September 2026

14:00 | BEMU – Škoda Battery Trains

Premiere presentation of Škoda’s new-generation battery unit at InnoTrans. The presentation will focus on BEMU as a European export bestseller, an efficient alternative for non-electrified lines and a solution enabling direct regional services without the need to change trains.

Venue: T10/40 outdoor display

15:00 | 52T Tram for Prague

Presentation of the Škoda ForCity Plus 52T tram – a modern vehicle proven in demanding everyday operation in Prague. The presentation will cover experience from more than one million kilometres of operation, the vehicle’s technological advantages and the 2026 Red Dot Award.

Venue: T2/29 outdoor display

16:00 | Trolleybuses for Esslingen

Presentation of the project for 52 new battery trolleybuses for Esslingen am Neckar and the German city’s path towards fully electric public transport.

Venue: B/500 outdoor display

Wednesday, 23 September 2026 – Press Events at the Škoda Group Stand

10:00 | Digital Technologies: From Vehicles to Smart Cities

Presentation of Škoda Group digital technologies – Visual Inspection and other solutions for intelligent, data-driven public transport.

Venue: Škoda Stand, 3.2/600

11:00 | The Signalling Company

Automatic Train Protection – integrated ETCS + PZB solution. The presentation will focus on lower costs, space savings on board and Class B national signalling systems for the German market.

Venue: Škoda Stand, 3.2/600

13:00 | Components

Presentation of Škoda Group’s Battery Propulsion Solutions and the Group’s capabilities in key components.

Venue: Škoda Stand, 3.2/600

14:00 | Panel Discussion with German Customers

“Tram Renaissance: Making Public Transport Fit for 2040” – a discussion between Škoda Group and German customers on the future of tram transport, the modernisation of urban transport systems and the requirements for public transport in the coming decades.

The discussion will focus on the specific conditions needed for a renaissance of tram transport – from stable financing, faster project preparation and approval, and joint vehicle procurement to standardisation and long-term partnerships between operators and industry. It will also address the practical use of digitalisation and automation, including driver assistance, automated depot processes, predictive maintenance and digital operations management, and how these technologies can move from pilot projects into everyday operation.

Participants: Jan Christoph Harder, President Region West and North, Škoda Group; representatives of German public transport operators (CEO level)

Venue: Škoda Stand, 3.2/600