[citation needed] The 109E Škoda has a top speed of 200 km/h and is compatible with both AC and DC catenaries, meeting the basic characteristics of a modern multisystem locomotive.

[1] In 2005 České dráhy ordered 20 locomotives with delivery in 2009 and certifications for service in all of the above-mentioned countries.

[4] Locomotives are designated as class 381 of ZSSK, numbers 381.001-7 & 381.002-5 and are being used mostly on regional trains on the Bratislava - Galanta - Nové Zámky route.

[5] The tender included a requirement for 190 km/h (118 mph) speed, as the trainsets will be used on the Nuremberg–Munich high-speed railway.

DB Regio refused to accept the trains due to poor reliability,[8][9] with the fleet finally beginning entry to service on 12 October 2020, some four years late.