[1][2] The HB-E210 series trains were developed from the earlier KiHa E200 type operated on the rural Koumi Line, but to better suit commuter service operations, it incorporates both internal and external design elements from E129 series EMUs, like having three pairs of sliding doors per side and a mixture of transverse and longitudinal seating.

[2] Each car is equipped with a 331 kW 6-cylinder diesel engine and two banks of lithium-ion batteries with a capacity of 15.2 kWh when new.

[1][2] The HB-E210 series fleet consists of eight two-car sets (16 vehicles), formed as shown below, with the HB-E211 car at the Sendai (eastern) end of the train.

[2] The first two trains built by Japan Transport Engineering Company (J-TREC) in Yokohama were originally scheduled to be delivered in November 2014, but the delivery date was postponed until January 2015.

[4][5] Test running using the first two sets delivered commenced on 16 January 2015, on the Tohoku Main Line between Kogota and Sendai.