When Arriva UK was looking for new trains for the Northern franchise, they selected CAF since they were the only manufactuer that could deliver electric and diesel trains on the same platform. The electric variant of the Civity became class 331, while the diesel variant is class 195. In contrast to Civity variants in other countries, the British trains do not use Jacobs bogies. They ordered 31 three-car units and twelve four-car units which have a top speed of 100 mph and eight 220 kW traction motors. 

At the same time, FirstGroup ordered twelve five-car class 397 units for the TransPennine Express. These have a more streamlined design and a top speed of 125 mph. TPE calls these trains “Nova 2”. The third electric Civity variant that will be introduced in the UK will be the class 897. These are three-mode trains which can run under 25 kV AC, on battery and with diesel. Each set will consist of ten cars and have a top speed of 125 mph. Ten have been ordered for entry into service in 2028 and they will be called “Serenza”.