SNCF Voyageurs orders 15 more Avelia Horizon TGVs in €600m deal

SNCF Voyageurs has approved a further investment in its future high-speed fleet after its Board of Directors signed off an additional order for 15 new-generation Avelia Horizon very high-speed trains. The deal is valued at around 600 million euros, with the new trains scheduled to enter service from 2029.

The latest order covers the quad-voltage version of the Avelia Horizon, allowing the trains to operate across different European networks and comply with cross-border technical requirements. SNCF Voyageurs said the new generation has been designed to support both competitiveness in the rail market and long-term profitability for the operator.

This purchase represents the fourth optional tranche under the Avelia Horizon Innovation Partnership agreement between SNCF Voyageurs and Alstom. It adds to an existing pipeline of 115 trains already ordered by SNCF Voyageurs, made up of 100 units for domestic services in France and 15 intended for wider European operations. When combined with the 30 Avelia Horizon trains ordered by Eurostar last October, the overall total for the contract now stands at 160 trains.

The Avelia Horizon design features two compact, high-performance power cars paired with articulated double-deck passenger vehicles. The configuration is intended to maximise capacity while maintaining high operating speeds and efficiency.

According to SNCF Voyageurs and Alstom, maintenance costs for the new trains are expected to be more than 30% lower than those of the current TGV fleet in France. Maintainability has been embedded into the design process, including the use of remote diagnostics to support predictive maintenance. This approach is intended to improve reliability and availability, while extending maintenance intervals through optimised components.

Energy efficiency has also been a key focus. Improved aerodynamics and more efficient traction systems are expected to reduce energy consumption by 20% compared with existing TGV sets, supporting wider environmental objectives.

Frédéric Wiscart, President of Alstom France said:

“This contract once again confirms the success of high-speed rail and the Avelia Horizon platform, while illustrating our strong commitment to sustainable, low-carbon mobility. Designed to meet technological and economic challenges, this solution actively contributes to the ecological transition, in a context where passengers are increasingly favouring environmentally friendly modes of transport.”

Image: Alstom