The latest milestone in 45 years of high-speed rail innovation sees Alstom’s Avelia Horizon platform carrying passengers for the first time.
Alstom has marked a significant moment in the evolution of high-speed rail with the entry into commercial service of France’s new-generation TGV, known as TGV M. Operated by SNCF Voyageurs, the train is the first to enter passenger service based on Alstom’s revolutionary Avelia Horizon very high-speed platform.
The launch represents the latest chapter in Alstom’s 45-year journey in high-speed rail, building on decades of operational experience gained from successive generations of trains running across global networks.
Martin Sion, Chief Executive Officer of Alstom, said:
“The entry into service of the new-generation TGV is a new demonstration of Alstom’s global leadership in high-speed rail. As the first train to enter service based on our Avelia Horizon platform, it builds on 45 years of experience and operational knowledge gained around the world. It is also the result of many years of close cooperation with SNCF and of the contribution of thousands of people across Alstom, our partners and our wider industrial ecosystem. I would like to thank all the teams who made this collective achievement possible.”
A New Standard for High-Speed Rail
Designed to address the evolving priorities of rail operators, Avelia Horizon focuses on increasing capacity, lowering operating costs, reducing energy consumption and enhancing the passenger experience.
Unlike previous generations, the train has been completely re-engineered as an integrated system. Every aspect of the design, from aerodynamics and traction systems to maintenance and digital technologies, has been optimised. The platform incorporates more than 400 innovations that have been the subject of patent applications.
One of the most notable changes is the redesign of the power cars. Their reduced length has created space for an additional passenger coach without increasing overall train length. As a result, the new TGV can carry up to 20% more passengers, accommodating as many as 740 travellers while maintaining high levels of comfort.
Energy efficiency has also been a key driver. Improved aerodynamics, lower vehicle weight and more efficient traction technology help the train consume 20% less energy than the previous generation. When operating at full capacity, energy consumption per passenger kilometre is reduced by 32%.
Maintenance performance has also been enhanced. Predictive maintenance systems, a reduction in component numbers and improved accessibility are expected to reduce maintenance costs by more than 30% while increasing fleet availability. The train’s digital architecture has also been developed to allow future technologies and passenger services to be integrated throughout its operational life.
Benjamin Fitoussi, President Rolling Stock and Components at Alstom, said:
“Avelia Horizon represents the most significant evolution in very high-speed train architecture in more than 30 years. Its innovation lies in the complete redesign of the train’s architecture. The platform allows operators to carry more passengers within the same train length with high level of comfort, while reducing energy consumption and optimising maintenance throughout the lifecycle.”
Built on Four Decades of Experience
Since the first TGV entered service in 1981, Alstom has continually refined its high-speed train technology, improving reliability, energy efficiency, passenger comfort and operational performance with every generation.
Today, more than 2,200 trains featuring Avelia technologies operate across 25 countries, have crossed 20 national borders and collectively travelled more than 10 billion kilometres.
That extensive operational experience enables Alstom to support customers throughout the entire lifecycle of their fleets, from design and manufacturing through to certification, maintenance, digital optimisation and long-term asset management.
The company says this knowledge base is particularly valuable in addressing challenges such as cross-border interoperability, network capacity constraints, energy efficiency targets and long-term fleet availability.
A Platform Designed for Global Markets
The launch of TGV M provides the first in-service reference for the Avelia Horizon platform, which has been designed from the outset as a flexible and scalable solution for international operators.
Its modular architecture allows customers to tailor train capacity, interior layouts, passenger amenities and technical specifications to suit local operational requirements.
Importantly, Avelia Horizon is currently the only double-deck very high-speed train platform available on the market, providing operators with a way to significantly increase passenger capacity without extending train lengths or station platforms.
This makes it particularly attractive for busy corridors and major transport hubs where infrastructure expansion is difficult, costly or constrained.
Designed for domestic, international and cross-border operations, the platform offers rail operators a route to increase capacity, improve fleet performance, reduce energy consumption and provide a more sustainable alternative to air and road travel.
Image credits: Alstom
