France's rail operator SNCF is showing off its fifth-generation TGV-M trains, designed to run on less energy with more passengers and to be recyclable when the next big thing comes along—but it will be a while yet before passengers get to board.
SNCF CEO Jean-Pierre Farandou showed off the new trains for journalists at a launch event, marking the start of a million-mile year-long test period with the trains traveling routes across France before entering passenger service in 2025.
Among the changes from current models, the M trains will seat 740 passengers instead of 630, partly because they will have 9 cars vs the present 8. They will require 20% less energy compared to the current version, and they are said to be 97% recyclable.
SNCF, which is facing increasing competition as European rail line access is opened across national borders, hopes the new trains will help it meet the competition and grow by providing additional seats and possibly lower costs.
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