A fleet of Stadler-built custom three-car electric multiple units (EMUs) began commercial operations on July 28, 2026, running on the EAV-managed Circumvesuviana railway in the Napoli area. The trains initially serve the Napoli – Volla – Baiano route on the 950 mm gauge network near Mount Vesuvius.
Train Specifications and Delivery
The new ETR300 trainsets measure 40.9 meters long with aluminium car bodies. Each EMU accommodates up to 377 passengers, including 90 seated. They have a continuous power output of 1,080 kW and reach speeds up to 100 km/h. Stadler manufactured these units at its Valencia plant in Spain. The first trainset was delivered
in September 2024 and unveiled the following month. Dynamic testing started in January 2026, leading to certification by the Italian safety authority ANSFISA before service entry.
Contracts and Fleet Expansion
EAV awarded Stadler an eight-year framework agreement in May 2021 for up to 40 EMUs and five years of maintenance support. The initial firm order was for 23 trainsets, with 17 additional units ordered in July 2022. A second framework signed in July 2023 covers up to 60 EMUs, with an initial firm order of 16 units funded through Italy’s National Recovery & Resilience Plan. As of August 2026, 12 of these Stadler trainsets
have been delivered and are operational.
Separately, EAV contracted Bertolotti in July 2025 for €24.4 million to supply eight shunting locomotives for both the 950 mm gauge Circumvesuviana and standard gauge lines. This contract became effective in July 2026 after delays caused by legal challenges.
EAV Governance Reform and Leadership
On July 14, 2026, EAV replaced its three-member governance board with a Sole Administrator model, appointing Pietro Diamantini to the position. Diamantini previously held senior leadership roles at Trenitalia, overseeing the Frecciarossa high-speed train business. His appointment grants him sole authority to run the transport operator overseeing the Circumvesuviana and other regional rail networks around
Napoli.
Modernization Programme and Passenger Impact
The introduction of Stadler’s ETR300 trains forms part of EAV’s broader fleet renewal and modernization programme. This includes timetable realignment to better match customer demand and gradual infrastructure upgrades aimed at improving reliability, efficiency and overall service quality. The Circumvesuviana network is one of Italy’s busiest regional rail systems, extending 142 km with six routes and 96 stations. It serves approximately 26 million passengers annually across the provinces of Napoli, Salerno, and Avellino.
Diamantini emphasized that the new trains integrate high comfort standards with advanced technology, reflecting EAV’s commitment to enhancing travel quality. The modernization focuses on placing customer
needs at its core, signaling an important development in public transport around Naples.
