Under its Delta 2.0 project Sweden's SJ AB begin procuring Zefiro Express high-speed trains from Bombardier Transportation, later Alstom, during the 2020s.
The SJ 250 electric multiple unit train fleet is planned to have fixed formations measuring up to , operating up to and be capable of working across Sweden, Denmark and Norway down to temperatures of .
SJ's aim is for these trains to replace the need for air travel between capital cities within Scandinavian. Delivery of the fleet is expected during 2026‒2028.
Design.
Trains will have bicycle spaces, 363 seats, and a bistro area.
The front of each train will include a snowplough, with the nosecone designed for collisions with wildlife weighing up to .
A backup battery is available in the event of overhead line failure.
Windows will be radio-transparent to allow radio and communication signals to pass through.
Construction.
Carriage bodyshells are constructed in China, then shipped to Hennigsdorf in Germany.
Testing and assembly is planned for the LEW Hennigsdorf site north of Berlin, which has its own track facility and train simulation facilities.
Knorr-Bremse is supplying its "CubeController" railway air brake equipment for the trains.
Alstom's site in Trápaga, Spain, is supplying propulsion equipment.
Doors are constructed by IFE, part of Knorr-Bremse.
The first two bodyshells arrived at Alstom's German plant in March 2025.
Funding.
The expected price for 25 trains was SEK (€640 million; $620 million).
Contract finalisation had been delayed by a European Court of Justice ruling covering application of the Swedish (LUF, ( 2016:1146).
In 2023 the European Investment Bank loaned €155 million (SEK 1.7 billon), followed by another €157 million (SEK 1.7 billon) in 2025.