PATENTES TALGO SL

Their core work

Talgo is a major Spanish rolling stock manufacturer known for its lightweight, independently-wheeled passenger trains used across Europe and beyond. Within H2020, Talgo contributes its engineering expertise in traction systems, braking, noise reduction, and vehicle subsystems to the Shift2Rail Joint Undertaking — Europe's coordinated rail innovation program. Their work focuses on making trains faster, quieter, more energy-efficient, and easier to maintain, with particular emphasis on silicon carbide (SiC) power electronics for next-generation traction drives and independently rotating wheel technology for high-speed applications.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In the early period (2015–2018), Talgo focused on foundational R&D in SiC traction development, independently rotating wheels, braking adhesion modelling, and noise methodology — essentially proving out core component technologies. From 2019 onward, their scope broadened significantly to encompass full vehicle subsystems: carbody shells, running gear, doors, modular interiors, HVAC, and integrated mobility management, while also advancing SiC traction from development to on-train demonstration. This evolution shows a clear trajectory from component-level research toward system-level vehicle integration and real-world deployment.

Talgo is moving from component research toward demonstrating and integrating advanced technologies into complete train systems, making them an increasingly valuable partner for projects requiring real rolling stock validation.

How they like to work

Talgo participates exclusively as a consortium partner, never as coordinator — consistent with a large manufacturer contributing domain expertise and test infrastructure rather than managing research programs. With 76 unique partners across 14 countries in just 8 projects, they operate in large Shift2Rail consortia and are well-connected across the European rail supply chain. Their repeat engagement across sequential project phases (PINTA→PINTA2→PINTA3, PIVOT→PIVOT2, FINE 1→FINE-2) shows they are a committed, long-term partner rather than a one-off participant.

Talgo has collaborated with 76 distinct partners across 14 countries, placing them firmly within the core European rail innovation network organized through Shift2Rail. Their partnerships span the continent's major rail manufacturing nations and research institutions.

What sets them apart

Talgo brings something rare to rail research consortia: they are a full train manufacturer with real production lines, meaning technologies developed in EU projects can be validated on actual rolling stock, not just in simulations. Their signature independently-wheeled bogie technology and lightweight train design give them a distinctive engineering perspective that complements heavier conventional rolling stock approaches from competitors. For consortium builders, Talgo offers a direct path from lab results to commercial rail vehicles operating on European networks.

Highlights from their portfolio

• PIVOT2
  Largest single grant (EUR 2.4M) covering the broadest scope — carbody, running gear, brakes, doors, interiors, and HVAC — representing comprehensive vehicle-level innovation.
• PINTA3
  Final phase of a three-part series that advanced SiC traction from early development all the way to on-train demonstration, showing technology maturation across Shift2Rail.
• ROLL2RAIL
  One of the earliest Shift2Rail projects (2015), establishing Talgo's position in the European rail R&D ecosystem with focus on sustainable and intelligent rolling stock.