The S 489.0 is a four-axle mixed-traffic locomotive for use under 25 kV AC derived from the six-axle S 699.001 prototype. Like this and the later S 499.0, it has a body made from glass fiber reinforced polyester, leading to the nickname “Laminatka”. It was one of the first AC locomotives to use silicon diodes and had an hourly output of 3,200 kW. The top speed of 110 km/h was matching its task as mixed-traffic locomotive.

In 1966 and 1967, a total of 110 were built by Škoda for the ČSD. In addition, the Bulgarian BDŽ received 90 similar locomotives which were designated E 42. From 1988, the ČSD locomotives became class 230. After the break-up of Czechoslovakia, all came to the Czech ČD. Over the years, they lost more and more passenger services and now all belong to ČD Cargo. There, they often cross the border and work on the AC networks of Slovakia and Hungary. Many were modernized from 2009 with more modern electronics, the Mirel safety system and LED lighting.