Global alternative investment firm KKR has agreed to acquire a majority stake in Green Mobility Partners (GMP), marking a new strategic push into sustainable rail infrastructure as Europe accelerates efforts to decarbonise transport.

The transaction establishes a long-term partnership between KKR and the Vienna-based electric locomotive leasing platform, positioning GMP to expand its fleet and consolidate opportunities across the European rail market.

Building a Pan-European Electric Rail Platform

Founded in 2024 by Christoph Katzensteiner, Green Mobility Partners offers full-service leasing solutions for modern electric locomotives used in both freight and passenger rail operations across Europe. The company focuses on energy-efficient assets designed to reduce emissions while improving reliability in cross-border rail transport.

GMP currently deploys electric locomotives such as the Siemens Vectron platform and plans to scale rapidly through a combination of organic fleet growth and targeted acquisitions. The partnership with KKR is expected to accelerate this expansion by providing both capital and operational expertise.

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Strategic Capital to Support Rail Modernisation

Under the agreement, KKR will not only take a controlling ownership position but will also support the development of a dedicated rail leasing platform. This includes funding for fleet expansion and backing potential mergers and acquisitions as GMP looks to build scale in a fragmented European market.

Christoph Katzensteiner, Founder and CEO of Green Mobility Partners, said Europe’s rail sector is at a pivotal moment as ageing infrastructure collides with rising climate expectations. He noted that partnering with KKR would help GMP address these challenges while building a next-generation rail leasing business aligned with decarbonisation goals.

Rail as a Core Decarbonisation Opportunity

KKR highlighted rail transport as a critical lever in Europe’s transition away from higher-emitting modes of transport. With a significant portion of the continent’s locomotive fleet approaching end of life, demand for modern, electric rolling stock is expected to grow steadily over the coming decade.

Vincent Policard, Co-Head of European Infrastructure at KKR, said the firm sees rail as an attractive long-term investment theme, combining contractual revenues with strong policy and decarbonisation tailwinds. He added that GMP’s model offers resilience, scalability, and direct exposure to the modernisation of European passenger and freight rail networks.

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Scaling Sustainable Transport Infrastructure

The investment underscores growing investor interest in transport assets that support emissions reduction while delivering stable, infrastructure-like returns. As governments across Europe push to shift freight and passenger travel from road to rail, platforms such as GMP are expected to play a central role in enabling that transition.

With KKR’s backing, Green Mobility Partners aims to position itself as a leading provider of electric locomotive leasing solutions, supporting cleaner mobility while addressing one of Europe’s most capital-intensive infrastructure upgrade cycles.

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