The EV 6 was an electric locomotive that was ordered by the Prussian State Railways for use on the railway in the Altona harbor. This line was electrified with single-phase AC, but with 6,300 instead of 15,000 volts. The locomotive was built by BMAG and MSW in 1926 like the preceding EV 5II. But while its predecessor was specifically tailored for the use on this line, the EV 6 did also have to function as a test bed for several innovations in the field of electric locomotives.
It was much more powerful and did not have hoods on the ends of the body. Although it had a top speed of only 50 km/h in service, it was built with large wheels and quill drives which were intended for faster locomotives. These quill drives, although not necessary for this type of service, increased the maintenance costs. Shortly after its introduction into service, the EV 6 was numbered E 73 06. When the overhead AC electrification was dismantled in 1954 due to the electrification of the Hamburg S-Bahn with third rail DC, the locomotive was retired.