GV-E400 series

The GV-E400 series trains are the first diesel-electric multiple units (not including hybrid train) to be operated by JR East, with diesel engines driving generators, which in turn power electric traction motors.^[3] The trains have stainless steel bodies and a maximum speed of 100 km/h (62 mph).^[3]

Internally, the sets use LED lighting throughout. Passenger accommodation consists of a mixture of longitudinal bench seating and transverse seating bays.^[4] The Niigata-area sets use pink seat moquette,^[4] and the Akita sets use blue seat moquette.^[1]

The design of the GV-E400 series served as the basis for the H100 series units operated by JR Hokkaido.^[5]

• 
  Komatsu DMF15HZD-G engine, which dedicates to generating electric power
• 
  Interior (Niigata-area set)
• 
  Interior (Akita-area set)
• 
  Driver's cab

The GV-E400 series trains are scheduled to be used on the following lines.^[2]

Niigata area (from FY2019)

• Uetsu Main Line (Niigata and Yamagata Prefectures)
• Shinetsu Main Line (Niigata Prefecture)
• Yonesaka Line (Niigata and Yamagata Prefectures)
• Banetsu West Line (Niigata and Fukushima Prefectures)

Akita area (from FY2020)

• Tsugaru Line (Aomori Prefecture) (From 03 March 2021 until 14 March 2025)
• Gono Line (Akita and Aomori Prefectures)
• Ou Main Line (Akita and Aomori Prefectures)

The trains are formed as single-car units classified GV-E400 and two-car units classified GV-E401 + GV-E402.^[3]

Details of the new trains were announced by JR East on 4 July 2017.^[2] A total of 63 vehicles are scheduled to be built, entering service in the Niigata area from 2019, and in the Akita area from 2020.^[2]

One single-car unit and one two-car unit were delivered from the Kawasaki Heavy Industries factory in Kobe in January 2018 for test-running and evaluation.^[2][6]

The first train entered service on 19 August 2019.^[7]

• H100 series, a JR Hokkaido DEMU based on the GV-E400 series design