On 21 May 2019, the RMV subsidiary fahma awarded the contract to supply 27 fuel cell trains to the French manufacturer Alstom following a Europe-wide award procedure. The vehicles (type Coradia iLint 54) will be delivered until the 2022/2023 timetable change. The order also includes hydrogen supply, maintenance and the provision of reserve capacities for the next 25 years (so-called availability model).

With this contract, the Rhein-Main-Verkehrsverbund will have the world's largest fuel cell train fleet in local passenger transport from 2022. This is the largest order ever placed by the subsidiary fahma.

The beacon project also serves as a model for the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI). The Federal Government supports the investment in climate-friendly mobility by assuming 40 percent of the additional vehicle costs incurred in comparison to diesel vehicles, as well as by providing proportional support for the hydrogen filling station.

Orth Kluth provided comprehensive legal advice to RMV and its subsidiary fahma during the entire procurement process. The total order volume is estimated at EUR 500 million.