The Škoda 109 E is the winner of a tender for a multi-purpose, three-system electric locomotive with three-phase traction motors issued by the ČD in 2003. Development was originally carried out together with Bombardier, but later completely taken over by Škoda. The design of the body came from Porsche. With an hourly output of 7,200 kW, it is the most powerful four-axle locomotive in the world. The ČD bought 20 mainly for EuroCity service across borders and designated them class 380. They were plagued by several problems with their certification in multiple countries and repeated problems in service. Although the ČD originally planned to retire this class in 2025, most are actually still in service.

Škoda also marketed the locomotive to other customers under the name “Emil Zátopek”, a famous Czech long-distance runner. The first foreign order came from the Slovak ZSSK, which ordered two locomotives for push-pull service. In contrast to the Czech variant's top speed of 200 km/h, it only reaches 160 km/h and is being designated class 381. No further orders followed after these two locomotives and now ZSSK is ordering the Siemens Vectron.

In Germany, the 109 E won the tender for the high-speed Regional Express service between Munich and Nuremberg. DB Regio ordered six locomotives for use under 15 kV AC only, along with six custom-tailored double-decker sets which include a control car. The cars were only designed for a top speed of 190 km/h due to cost reasons. While introduction into service was originally planned for 2016, they only took over these services in 2021 after there had been multiple delays with the approval. Even after their introduction, they had many problems and in August 2025, one was heavily damaged by a fire. So DB Regio decided to retire the class by 2028 and replace it by Siemens Desiro HC multiple units.