Wabtec, a freight and transit rail equipment, systems, digital solutions and services provider, and its launch customer, Roy Hill, a Western Australia iron ore operation, recently debuted the FLXdrive battery locomotive.
The FLXdrive is the world’s first completely battery-powered, heavy-haul locomotive for mainline service. It uses energy management software to manage energy flow and distribution. Its battery thermal management system uses liquid cooling to withstand the Pilbara heat.
Roy Hill’s FLXdrive will feature an energy capacity of seven megawatt hours. Per train, it is expected to provide double-digit percentage reductions in fuel costs and emissions, based on the route and company’s rail operations.
“This FLXdrive locomotive represents a major step in the journey to a low-to-zero-emission future in the rail industry,” Rafael Santana, Wabtec president and CEO, said. “The FLXdrive is driven from within by our battery technology and the innovative spirit of our employees. Roy Hill is an ideal customer to partner with given their leadership and excellent operational record.”
The locomotive will be shipped to Australia next year after Wabtec completes the final battery installations and track testing. It will operate in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.
The ceremony was held at Wabtec’s design and development center in Pennsylvania.