No six-axle locomotive was planned for the drawing of heavy freight trains in the type program for new-build electric locomotives of the Deutsche Reichsbahn. Despite the use of double traction with four-axle machines, the desired performance could not be achieved. With the electrification of the Dresden–Zwickau line, there was a need for a more powerful electric locomotive. At the end of the 1960s, it was decided to build a new six-axle electric locomotive series that was to be used universally. The latest state of the art was taken into account, such as lightweight steel construction or low linkage of the bogies.
In 1974, the prototypes 250 001-250 003 were delivered by LEW Henningsdorf. Designed as a heavy freight locomotive, it has an hourly output of 5,400 kW and a maximum permissible speed of 120 km/h. By doing without aerodynamic curves, which are negligible at the low top speed, it got its nickname "electricity container".
