KTZ placed an order with Alstom and Transmashholding (TMH) in March 2010 for 95 of the 200km/h locomotives, which are designed to operate in ambient temperatures ranging from -50oC to +45 oC. The first 20 locomotives are being built at Alstom's plant in Belfort, France, while the remaining 75 units will be assembled locally by the Alstom-TMH EKZ joint venture at its purpose-built facility near Astana.

All 95 locomotives are due to be delivered by 2020.

EKZ is also assembling 175 KZ8A eight-axle freight locomotives from an order for 225 units placed by KTZ in 2010, 25 of which have so far been handed over.