Westport developing HPDI project with locomotive OEM

Westport's H2 HPDI fuel system is making the jump to the rail industry thanks to the company's new partnership with a locomotive OEM. (Photo: Westport Fuel Systems, Inc.)

Westport Fuel Systems Inc., the Vancouver-based provider of alternative fuel systems and components, has partnered with a global locomotive OEM to adapt its high-pressure direct injection (HPDI) fuel system for use in the freight and transit rail industries.

The two-year proof-of-concept project is expected to begin immediately and is fully funded by the still currently unnamed locomotive OEM, Westport said.

“We are excited to work with a globally recognized team to jointly demonstrate the decarbonization potential of our HPDI technology in high-horsepower applications,” said Scott Baker, vice president of Global Engineering for Westport. “Rail is a market for our hydrogen system and is clearly aligned with our approach to provide alternative decarbonization solutions for all modes of transportation. With near-zero CO2 emissions, H2 HPDI will assist our partner to affordably decarbonize the transportation markets it serves.”

Though this is Westport’s first locomotive H2 HPDI project, the company said its fuel system has the potential to be a retrofit solution in this high-horsepower market to decarbonize the rail sector thanks to the proven durability of its system’s base diesel engine.

Westport said HPDI is a particularly affordable path to decarbonization because it does not compromise performance of efficiency.