Moldovan electric bus equipment manufacturer Informbusiness is converting a Tatra T3 tram into a battery-powered railcar, according to railwaygazette.com.

The vehicle is intended for use by national operator CFM on routes including Chișinău – Ungheni and Strășeni – Chișinău – Revaca – Sîngera.

Informbusiness reports that the converted railcar will have a capacity of 100 passengers, a maximum speed of 75 km/h, and a range of 400 km on a single charge.

Minister of Infrastructure & Regional Development Vladimir Bolea visited Informbusiness on July 15 and commented on the project.

‘Every day we are amazed at how much we can achieve when we invest in people, infrastructure, and sustainable partnerships’, Bolea said.

‘Today we saw a first trial with an electric railbus and met people who believe that public transport can be better. This is how the future begins: with ideas, with innovation, and with people who have the courage to turn those ideas into reality.’

The conversion of the classic Tatra T3 tram into a battery railcar represents a low-cost approach to introducing zero-emission rail vehicles on non-electrified lines. By repurposing existing rolling stock, Moldova aims to improve regional connectivity while reducing reliance on diesel traction.

Further details on the timeline for deployment and testing have not yet been disclosed.