The ICE 4 will be the backbone of the Deutsche Bahn's future long-distance network. In May 2011, the German national railway company is concluding a framework agreement with Siemens Mobility for up to 300 trainsets. In the initial phase, 130 ICE4-type trains have been ordered, and beginning in 2017 they will replace the old Intercity and Eurocity fleets. At a later time, it is planned to replace ICE 1 and ICE 2 vehicles, too. The ICE 4 will then be responsible for roughly 70 percent of Deutsche Bahn's interurban transport revenue.
