Škoda delivers traction motors for Melbourne Flexity trams

On 18 July 2023 Škoda Group announced that it will participate in the delivery of new Alstom-built Flexity 2 trams to Melbourne. This follows an announcement of Alstom, dated 21 April 2022, that it has signed a framework contract with Department of Transport Victoria for the provision of 100 Flexity low-floor Next Generation Trams (NGTs) for the largest urban tram network in the world. Worth of 700 million EUR, the contract includes supply of rolling stock and 15-year maintenance making this the biggest tram contract in Australia and in the southern hemisphere. Delivery of the Flexity 2s is scheduled to start in 2025. 

Škoda will provide up to 1,120 traction motors, including an option. Between 2024 and November 2028, 400 traction motors for 100 trams will be delivered, a further 720 ones are part of the option. The whole contract is worth more than 13 million EUR. The long-standing partnership with Alstom has thus reached a significant milestone, and this is the first ever delivery for Škoda to Australia. The traction motor for the trams in Melbourne is based on the successful ŠKODA FCX range. This longitudinally mounted motor with an output of 105 kW and a weight of 360 kg drives the tram axle via a two-speed gearbox.