Electric locomotive 181 207-2, in blue livery

The electrification of various railway lines between France, Luxembourg, and Germany in the 1960s and 1970s created an increased demand for dual-system locomotives for operation with 15 kV, 16 2/3 Hz and 25 kV, 50 Hz. Based on the experiences with the four locomotives of the classes 181.0 and 181.1, the Deutsche Bundesbahn ordered 25 dual-system locomotives, which were designated as class 181.2 (181 201 to 181 225) and were put into service starting in 1974. The first 10 units were delivered in steel blue livery, while units 181 211-225 already featured the new two-tone paint scheme of the DB in ocean blue and beige from the factory.

Some of the locomotives were named to match their operational areas: "Lorraine" (181 211), "Luxembourg" (181 212), "Saar" (181 213), and "Mosel" (181 214).