In 1950, the Deutsche Bundesbahn decided to develop two base types of electric locomotives with largely standardised components: A twelve-wheel (UIC: Co'Co') freight train locomotive as successor for the Class E 94, and an eight-wheel (UIC: Bo'Bo') general purpose electric locomotive as successor for the Class E 44.
This multi-purpose locomotive received the working title E 46, but was then renamed to Class E 10, once the required maximum speed was increased from , which formally made this model an express train locomotive.