About half of all German rail routes are plied by loud and emission-intensive diesel locomotives. DB RegioNetz Verkehrs GmbH, in cooperation with the Technical University Dresden, the Technical University Chemnitz, and the Fraunhofer Institute for Traffic and Infrastructure Systems, has formed a competence cluster by combining operator and developer know-how and developed the EcoTrain. This is a modular platform with completely electrified auxiliary users, an environment-friendly CO2 air-conditioning system, and a hybrid drive system that enables the use of technology across the entire machine series. Thanks to the combination of a diesel and an electric motor, the train is quieter and more energy efficient, and emits less CO2.