Portland Picks CAF for 15 Battery Streetcars
The Portland Bureau of Transportation has chosen CAF USA to supply battery-equipped Urbos trams for the city's streetcar network.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Electric Vehicles
Live Poll
Would you support your city spending on new streetcars for public transit?
The Portland Bureau of Transportation selected CAF USA to supply 15 battery-equipped Urbos trams for Portland Streetcar. The trams will replace seven Škoda 10T cars that entered service in 2001.
Why it matters
The existing vehicles are nearing the end of their service life, and the batteries will let the trams operate beyond the 750 V DC overhead wires. The purchase is part of the city's effort to keep its streetcar network running.
The 15 battery-equipped trams will serve the 11.6 km two-line network, replacing seven cars that entered service in 2001 and operate on 750 V DC overhead wires. Cost, specifications, and delivery schedule remain unfinalized.
The players
Portland Streetcar Inc.
Portland Streetcar Inc. is the organization that operates the city's streetcar system, led by Executive Director Dan Bower.
CAF USA
CAF USA is the American subsidiary of the Spanish rail manufacturer CAF, which builds the Urbos tram line.
The details
CAF USA will assemble the vehicles at its Elmira plant in New York state, and the city will negotiate design and engineering specifics with the supplier. Portland Streetcar Inc. Executive Director Dan Bower said the replacement is needed as the existing cars near the end of their life.
Timeline
April 2, 2026: Dan Bower announced the supplier selection.
2028: Construction of the North South Line extension to Montgomery Park is expected to begin.
2030: The Montgomery Park extension is expected to enter revenue service.
Roadmap
The purchase adds battery-capable trams built on CAF's Urbos platform to Portland's streetcar fleet. It reflects a broader shift toward battery operation on urban rail lines that are not fully wired.
Riders on Portland's streetcar network will eventually be served by trams that can run beyond overhead wires. The shift could affect service reliability on the two-line network while the older Škoda cars are retired.
The takeaway
Portland's streetcar fleet is moving toward battery-capable vehicles that reduce dependence on overhead wires. Riders and residents can track the North South Line extension timeline as planning advances.
What happens next
Construction of the North South Line extension to Montgomery Park is expected to begin in 2028, with revenue service expected in 2030.
Further reading
Explore more on Electric Vehicles in Portland's transit system.
Live Poll
Would you support your city spending on new streetcars for public transit?
