EXPO Ferroviaria 2025: Sustainable Rail Technologies

The 12th edition of EXPO Ferroviaria, the leading international exhibition for railway technologies, took place from September 30 to October 2, 2025, at Fiera Milano Rho (Halls 9 and 11), marking the 200th anniversary of the railway. Under the theme "Designing the Future," the event confirmed the sector's transformation driven by two core pillars: technology and sustainability. More than 16 countries showcased innovations in zero-emission rolling stock, freight automation, infrastructure digitalization, and hydrogen solutions, illustrating the convergence of climate ambitions and operational performance.

Updated on October 1, 2025

The Italian Rail Industry: Economic Power and Policy Drivers

The exhibition's opening highlighted the vitality of Italy's railway industry, supported by structural investments and continuous innovation momentum. Figures presented by ANIE ASSIFER (National Association of Railway and Signaling Industries) confirm this trajectory: in 2024, the sector generated €7.1 billion in turnover, employs over 22,400 people, and achieved €1.5 billion in exports. This performance is notably supported by investments linked to the NRRP (National Recovery and Resilience Plan), channeling European funds toward network modernization and technological innovation.

The opening ceremony brought together the sector's main institutional and industrial stakeholders. Matteo Salvini, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, emphasized the importance of medium-term planning to guide investments toward an integrated, resilient, and sustainable railway model. Discussions focused on three priority trends: digitalization (ERTMS, predictive management), sustainability (decarbonization, alternative energies), and safety (automation, enhanced standards). The exhibition thus confirmed its role as a strategic platform where the sector's industrial and regulatory orientations materialize.

Next-Generation Rolling Stock: Electrification, Hydrogen, and Automated Freight

The Battery Breakthrough: Stadler's TREEN Train

The TREEN battery-powered train, developed by Stadler Rail for Ferrovie Appulo Lucane (FAL), embodies the transition toward decarbonized regional mobility. This rolling stock features technical specifications optimized for non-electrified lines in southern Italy. With a length exceeding 36 meters and aluminum alloy carriages, the TREEN can accommodate approximately 180 passengers. Its 636 kWh lithium-ion battery provides sufficient autonomy to cover the entire Altamura–Matera route without intermediate charging, approximately 50 kilometers.

This innovation addresses a dual challenge: reducing operating costs (no overhead wire maintenance) and eliminating local CO₂ emissions. Fast-charging technology enables flexible operation adapted to regional frequencies. The TREEN illustrates the maturity of battery solutions for secondary lines, offering a credible alternative to diesel for European networks pursuing decarbonization.

Decarbonizing Freight and Shunting: The Hydrogen Prototype

Sitav (Società Italiana Treni Alta Velocità), in partnership with the University of Genoa, presented a hydrogen locomotive prototype designed for shunting and last-mile freight operations. This solution aims to replace diesel locomotives in port areas, marshaling yards, and industrial sidings, where catenary electrification is costly or impossible. Green hydrogen, produced by electrolysis from renewable energy, enables zero-emission propulsion with greater autonomy than batteries for intensive use.

The prototype demonstrates the sector's commitment to diversifying energy vectors according to usage. While hydrogen remains more expensive than direct electricity, its progressive deployment benefits from European investments in production and distribution infrastructure. Operational feedback from this prototype will guide medium-term industrialization decisions.

Automation in Freight: Digital Automatic Coupling (DAC)

FS Logistix, the freight subsidiary of FS Italiane Group, exhibited a wagon equipped with the DAC (Digital Automatic Coupling) system, a digital automatic coupling technology designed to revolutionize European rail freight operations. Unlike 

traditional manual couplings (screw couplings), DAC enables automatic coupling and uncoupling of wagons, accompanied by instant digital connection for electrical power, pneumatics, and data transfer.

This innovation improves safety (reduced shunting accidents), productivity (reduced train formation times), and rail freight competitiveness against road transport. The EU actively supports DAC deployment through the Shift2Rail program, with a European-wide standardization target by 2030. FS Logistix's demonstration confirms Italy's progress in this major technical transition.

High-Speed Regional Innovations: Alstom and Trenitalia

Alstom unveiled the new Coradia Stream™ train for Trenitalia, combining high-speed capability with regional capacity. This rolling stock illustrates the convergence of TGV standards and territorial service needs, with increased modularity and optimized energy efficiency. The presentation highlighted gains in passenger comfort (efficient air conditioning, Wi-Fi connectivity, accessibility for people with reduced mobility) and energy efficiency (regenerative braking, improved aerodynamics).

Beyond the Tracks: Infrastructure, Digitalization, and Cross-Sector Exchange

The Innovation Ecosystem

EXPO Ferroviaria's Innovation Hub brought together start-ups and SMEs presenting disruptive solutions for tomorrow's mobility: AI-powered predictive maintenance, IoT sensors for infrastructure monitoring, digital twins of networks, and multimodal ticketing systems. The EF Connect online matchmaking platform facilitated networking between innovators and major operators, accelerating collaborative project maturation.

This space confirmed the railway sector's openness to digital technologies from other industries (aerospace, automotive, energy). Discussions addressed system interoperability, connected network cybersecurity, and operational data valorization (big data, analytics).

Major Infrastructure Zones

Two thematic areas marked the 2025 edition with their international dimension:

• Tunneling Area: Created in partnership with TELT (Tunnel Euralpin Lyon Turin) and SIG (Italian Tunnelling Society), this zone presented tunneling, support, and safety technologies for large-scale underground infrastructure. The Lyon-Turin project, an emblematic transalpine connection construction site, served as a showcase for innovations in tunnel boring machines, resistant linings, and intelligent ventilation systems.
• Aerospace Technology Hub: In collaboration with CTNA (Italian National Aerospace Technology Cluster), this space explored technology transfers between aeronautics and rail (lightweight composite materials, navigation systems, cockpit ergonomics). These cross-sector exchanges feed R&D on very-high-speed trains and autonomous mobility solutions.

Industry Participation and Institutional Support

EXPO Ferroviaria 2025 gathered 16 countries and the world's leading manufacturers and equipment suppliers: ABB, Alstom, Hitachi Rail, Knorr-Bremse Rail System Italia, Stadler Rail, Wabtec, among others. Official partners include Gruppo FS (Italian national operator), ANIE-ASSIFER (industrial association), UNIFE (Union of European Railway Industries), and public research organizations.

This diversity testifies to the exhibition's European and international dimension, serving as a platform for commercial, technological, and regulatory exchanges. Contracts signed and partnerships announced during the event will guide sectoral investments for years to come.

Context & Challenges

EXPO Ferroviaria 2025 takes place in a European context of accelerated energy transition. The European Green Deal mandates a 55% reduction in CO₂ emissions by 2030, placing rail at the heart of sustainable mobility strategies. Italian NRRP investments (€191.5 billion total, approximately €25 billion for transport infrastructure) catalyze innovation and network modernization.

Meanwhile, rail freight struggles to gain market share against road transport (EU rail modal share: ~18%). Technologies presented in Milan—DAC, hydrogen, digitalization—aim to reverse this trend by improving competitiveness, reliability, and flexibility. European standardization (ERTMS, DAC, energy interoperability) is a prerequisite for this transformation.

Finally, the 200th anniversary of the railway recalls the sector's heritage of continuous innovation while underlining the urgency of accelerating decarbonization and automation to address the 21st century's climate and economic challenges.

What Changes for Users and Stakeholders

For regional passengers: The arrival of battery trains like TREEN improves secondary line service (increased frequencies, modern comfort) without local environmental impact. Noise reduction and absence of particulate emissions benefit urban and peri-urban areas.

For operators: Zero-emission solutions (battery, hydrogen) reduce long-term operating costs (less thermal engine maintenance, independence from diesel). Digitalization (predictive maintenance, real-time management) optimizes equipment availability and reduces delays.

For freight: DAC transforms rail transport economics by accelerating marshaling operations and reducing work arduousness. Automation fosters creation of more competitive intermodal express services (rail-road).

For manufacturers and equipment suppliers: EXPO Ferroviaria validates R&D orientations and opens commercial opportunities (tenders, public-private partnerships). The exhibition's international visibility facilitates exports and technology transfer to emerging markets.