Hydrogen locomotive for the rail freight

As the transportation sector faces growing environmental pressures, from both regulators and customers, the rail freight industry is seen as one of the most eco-friendly transport modes compared to trucks or planes (per ton of goods transported).

However, the rail industry is also under increased scrutiny to offer decarbonized options. In passenger trains, hydrogen and battery trains are already running on the rails. Conversely, in rail freight, power and range requirements are much more important thus posing additional challenges, on storage for example. 
This is critical especially on non-electrified, long last miles where diesel traction is the only solution available today.

Bi-mode diesel/electric locomotives can allow GHG (greenhouse gases) emissions reductions, but it does not reach zero-emission, especially at the departure or arrival of the trains.

As a large industrial company, we are working on the decarbonization of mainline diesel locomotives.

The solution we propose works in two modes:

• On electrified sections, the electric locomotive uses the power from the overhead catenary. 
• On non-electrified sections, a hydrogen fuel cell system generates power for the traction and shunting operations. 

Our solution allows us to leverage existing electric locomotives, while also adding a range extender.
This bi-mode locomotive significantly reduces the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) and particulate matters. In particular, it would comply with upcoming regulations on low emissions. Depending on the shipper's sector, the benefit can be multifaceted: 

• Green premium to value in tenders or to end-customers
• Regulation compliance
• Improved local acceptance
• Meet internal CO2 emissions targets