With the Coradia Polyvalent, Alstom offers a multiple unit that is available purely electric or as a dual-powered train with diesel and electric drive. As is typical for the Coradia, the entire drive technology, including the diesel engines, is located on the roof. Various versions are available for use on suburban routes, in regional traffic and in intercity traffic. From the framework contract for 1,000 trains, the SNCF called off 387 units as “Régiolis” until 2020. 17 and 15 trains respectively were also sold to Algeria and Senegal. The trains are now being produced and further developed by CAF. In the future, the diesel engines will be replaced by batteries, and a fuel cell drive is also under development.

Since the PO/Midi had some only partially electrified branch lines in the south of France, they developed a railcar that could run electrically via overhead lines and diesel-electrically. The two vehicles built by Alsthom had the pantograph above the powered bogie and a diesel engine with two generators above the other bogie. Heating was via a steam boiler.

The two vehicles were put into service by the SNCF as the XAT 1000 and were given the nickname “Autorail amphibie”. From Bordeaux they ran the first part east under overhead wire and continued to Bergerac or Périgueux using the diesel engine. During the Second World War, due to the lack of fuel, they ran almost exclusively on electric power, while after the war they ran almost exclusively on diesel-electric power. In 1952, even the electrical operation equipment was removed, while two smaller diesel engines of 209 kW each were installed. They continued to operate in this configuration until 1959.

The “Train Suite Shiki-shima” is a luxury train that offers two- to four-day tours on scenic routes. In order to be able to run on different lines, it has the equipment for direct and alternating current and two additional diesel engines, each with 1,800 kW. The design was drawn by Ken Okuyama. The train has a total of ten suite, dining and observation cars and has a total capacity of just 34 passengers. Tour tickets can cost up to $10,000 per person.