Battery-powered transportation extends to the locomotive industry

Last week, railroad company Norfolk Southern announced it would be unveiling a new kind of locomotive – one that runs completely on battery power.

The new train, equipped with 1,500 horsepower, will operate in Norfolk Southern’s Pennsylvania rail yard, where low-horsepower locomotives are typically used. The company has plans to develop hybrid diesel-and-electric trains for longer trips, which they hope to start testing by the end of next year.

Political leaders and research groups in other parts of the world are taking a serious look at hybrid train technology. Countries are converting their rail fleets to hybrid models – or environmental groups are pressing leaders to make the switch away from diesel trains.

In England, as part of long-term plans to modernize the railway system, the government will roll out hybrid trains over the next several years. In Ontario, Canada, government leaders have approved the use of diesel locomotives over the objections of an environmental coalition that wants rail lines there to be electrified. Officials in Thailand are drawing up a “strategic roadmap” for the industrial industry that includes developing hybrid trains parts.

It stands to reason that new hybrid trains will need electricity from somewhere. In the U.S., where we get nearly half of our electricity from coal, it’s possible that someday our trains will be running on the same kind of coal they ship.

This makes clean coal technologies like carbon capture and storage all the more essential. Imagine the possibilities: reduced greenhouse gas emissions from power plants, cars and trains, all while moving away from imported oil.

Kudos to Norfolk Southern. Read more about the train on its Web site and let us know what you think of this achievement in the comments.

NOTE: Norfolk Southern is a member of ACCCE.