Pittsburgh, United States (Metro Rail News): Wabtec Corporation and General Motors Corporation will work together to develop and commercialise GM’s Ultium battery technology and HYDROTEC hydrogen fuel cell systems for Wabtec locomotives.
“With the introduction of batteries and hydrogen to power locomotive fleets, the rail industry is on the verge of a sustainable transformation,” stated Rafael Santana, CEO and President of Wabtec.
“Our FLXdrive locomotive, the world’s first 100% battery-powered locomotive, has demonstrated its ability to reduce carbon emissions by up to 30% when operating at 6 mph.
MWh. But we can’t just stop there. We can speed the rail industry’s road to decarbonization and zero-emission locomotives by collaborating with GM on Ultium battery and HYDROTEC hydrogen fuel cell technologies.”
Wabtec and GM inked a nonbinding agreement of intent to achieve the two businesses’ shared goal of a zero-emissions transportation future. Wabtec will contribute its expertise in energy management and system optimization to the development of a solution for heavy haul locomotives that fully utilises GM’s sophisticated technology.
“Rail networks are critical to transportation and GM’s ability to serve our customers across North America, and Wabtec’s bold plan to de-carbonize heavy haul and other locomotive applications advances our vision of a world with zero crashes, zero emissions, and zero congestion,” said GM President Mark Reuss. “Wabtec’s decision to deploy GM’s Ultium battery and HYDROTEC hydrogen fuel cell systems validates and proves the versatility of our superior technology.”
The flexibility, efficiency, power, and dependability required for rail are expected to be provided by GM’s Ultium battery technology. Ultium Cells LLC, a joint venture between General Motors and LG Energy Solution, is currently building battery cell factories in Ohio and Tennessee.
The HYDROTEC hydrogen fuel cell power cubes from GM are small and easy to package, and they may be utilised in a variety of applications, including locomotives. Fuel Cell Systems Manufacturing LLC, a manufacturing joint venture between General Motors and Honda, will assemble HYDROTEC fuel cell systems in Brownstown, Michigan.
