Like their neighbors, the SNCF ordered modern mixed-traffic locomotives with three-phase traction motors in the late eighties. These could reach 200 km/h, but at the same time had enough pulling power for heavy freight trains. Since France has both AC and DC lines, these locomotives are equipped for 25 kV AC and 1.5 kV DC. The BB 26000 still has monomotor bogies known from older French locomotives. They have an hourly output of 5,600 kW and a starting tractive effort of 320 kN. They are powered by synchronous motors which could be realized with less complexity.

This led to the nickname “Sybic”, what is a combination of “Synchrone” and “Bicourant”. Between 1988 and 1998, Alstom built 234 locomotives. A planned order for 30 additional locomotives equipped for 3 kV DC for use in Italy was cancelled in favor of the BB 36000. When SNCF was split, 139 came to freight operator Fret, since most passenger services were now being hauled by multiple units. A larger number of withdrawals started in 2014.