Wabtec Corporation announced an order from BHP Western Australia Iron Ore (WAIO) for two FLXdrive battery locomotives. The deal builds momentum in the market for the world's first 100-percent, battery-powered locomotive and supports the Australia-based natural resource company's plan to decarbonize its rail network. BHP will receive the newest version of the FLXdrive battery-electric locomotives in 2023 with 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. 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. 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.