Germany gets EU approval for electric rail efficiency state aid

The European Commission has approved a German scheme to support electric rail transport providers that invest in energy efficiency technologies. The scheme has an overall budget of €500 million ($584 million) and will run from 2018 to 2022.

Electric rail companies could be compensated up to 50% of expenses incurred from energy efficiency measures, such as acquisition of modern energy-saving rolling stock including hybrid locomotives or automated solutions. To be eligible, rail transport companies need to demonstrate a year-on-year improvement of 1.75% in their energy efficiency, and at least 2% year-on-year from 2020 onwards.