Boston spent $765 million to lease battery-powered trains

The trains will serve Boston’s Fairmount Line for fifteen years.

1 minute read

October 12, 2026, 6:00 AM PDT

By Zachary Whalen


A group of people walk past Boston's purple commuter rail.

With battery-powered trains, transit agencies can electrify without the expense or complexity of installing overhead power lines. | 2p2play

Boston is taking the first steps towards electrifying its trains: the city is leasing seven battery-powered trains, which will serve passengers on the Fairmont Line for fifteen years. The deal is expected to cost $765 million. 

“The trains, built by the Swiss company Stadler, are slated for 2030. They will boost frequency of stops along the 10-mile route from every 30 minutes to every 20 and save 17,700 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually compared to the diesels they will replace, according to the T,” Benton Graham writes for Grist.

With battery-powered trains, transit agencies can electrify without the expense or complexity of installing overhead power lines. Caltrain and Metra are also electrifying, and plan to launch battery-operated trains in 2028.

Tuesday, October 6, 2026 in Grist

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Boston spent $765 million to lease battery-powered trains

The trains will serve Boston’s Fairmount Line for fifteen years.

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