Another order for Wabtec’s FLXdrive locomotives

Mining company BHP Western Australia Iron Ore has ordered two FLXdrive battery locomotives from Wabtec.

The 100% battery-powered locomotives will be delivered in 2023 and will offer an energy capacity of 7 megawatt hours (MWh). Based on the topography of the route and BHP’s rail operations, the FLXdrive is anticipated to reduce the company’s fuel costs and emissions in percentage by double digits per train.

“The FLXdrive battery-electric locomotive represents the future of sustainable rail operations,” said Rogerio Mendonca, president of Freight Equipment for Wabtec. “The rail and mining industries are on the cusp of technological advancements to equip customers with zero-emission locomotive fleets. The FLXdrive is a major step toward eventually achieving that vision. It will provide BHP with the tractive effort, fuel savings, emissions reductions and reliability to cost effectively run their rail operations.”

BHP currently uses four diesel-electric locomotives in a consist to pull trains comprised of approximately 270 cars carrying 38 000 tons of iron ore. The FLXdrives will join the diesel locomotives to form a hybrid consist, and recharge during the trip through regenerative braking. Wabtec’s next generation energy-management system will determine the optimal times to discharge and recharge the batteries along the route ensuring the most fuel-efficient operation of the entire locomotive consist during the trip.

Wabtec Corp. announced an order from BHP Western Australia Iron Ore (WAIO) for two FLXdrive battery locomotives.

“Rail is the fundamental link in our pit-to-port value chain, and the power required to deliver fully-laden iron ore wagons from the Pilbara to Port Hedland is significant,” said Brandon Craig, BHP Asset President Western Australia Iron Ore (WAIO). “Trialing battery-electric locomotives in collaboration with Wabtec has great potential to support our operational emissions reductions targets and goals.”

The FLXdrive battery locomotive is part of Wabtec’s initiative to develop the next generation of zero-emission locomotives. The company has a clear path to power new locomotives – and repower existing locomotives – with batteries, hydrogen internal combustion engines, and hydrogen fuel cells. It is part of Wabtec’s vision for the rail industry to play a key role in building a clean energy economy and will enable the reduction of up to 300 million tons of global carbon emissions per year.