PITTSBURGH, June 15, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Wabtec Corporation
(NYSE: WAB) and General Motors (NYSE: GM) today announced they will
collaborate to develop and commercialize GM's Ultium battery
technology and HYDROTEC hydrogen fuel cell systems for Wabtec
locomotives.
"The rail industry is on the cusp of a sustainable
transformation with the introduction of batteries and hydrogen to
power locomotive fleets," said Rafael
Santana, CEO and president of Wabtec. "Our FLXdrive
locomotive, the world's first 100-percent battery powered
locomotive, has proven its potential to slash carbon emissions by
up to 30 percent when operating at 6 MWh. But we can't stop there.
By working with GM on Ultium battery and HYDROTEC hydrogen fuel
cell technologies, we can accelerate the rail industry's path to
decarbonization and pathway to zero-emission locomotives by
leveraging these two important propulsion technologies."
Wabtec and GM signed a nonbinding memorandum of understanding to
advance the two companies' shared vision of a zero-emissions future
in transportation. Wabtec will bring its expertise in energy
management and systems optimization to develop a solution for heavy
haul locomotives that takes full advantage of GM's advanced
technologies.
"Rail networks are critical to transportation and to GM's
ability to serve our customers across North America, and Wabtec's bold plan to
de-carbonize heavy haul and other locomotive applications helps
advance our vision of a world with zero crashes, zero emissions and
zero congestion," said Mark Reuss,
GM president. "Wabtec's decision to deploy GM's Ultium battery and
HYDROTEC hydrogen fuel cell systems further validates our advanced
technology and demonstrates its versatility."
GM's Ultium battery technology is anticipated to provide the
flexibility, efficiency, power and reliability needed for rail.
Ultium Cells LLC, GM's joint venture with LG Energy Solution, is
currently constructing battery cell plants in Ohio and Tennessee.
GM's HYDROTEC hydrogen fuel cell power cubes are compact and
easy to package and can be used in a wide range of applications,
including locomotives. HYDROTEC fuel cell systems will be assembled
from globally sourced parts by Fuel Cell Systems Manufacturing, LLC
in Brownstown, Michigan, the manufacturing joint venture
between General Motors and Honda.
Wabtec
Wabtec Corporation (NYSE: WAB) is focused on creating
transportation solutions that move and improve the world. The
company is a leading global provider of equipment, systems, digital
solutions and value-added services for the freight and transit rail
industries, as well as the mining, marine and industrial markets.
Wabtec has been a leader in the rail industry for over 150 years
and has a vision to achieve a zero-emission rail system in the U.S.
and worldwide. The company has approximately 27,000 employees
located at facilities in 50 countries throughout the world. Visit
Wabtec's new website at: www.wabteccorp.com.
General Motors
General Motors (NYSE:GM) is a global company focused on
advancing an all-electric future that is inclusive and accessible
to all. At the heart of this strategy is the Ultium battery
platform, which will power everything from mass-market to
high-performance vehicles. General Motors, its subsidiaries and its
joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Chevrolet, Buick,
GMC, Cadillac, Baojun and Wuling brands. More information on the
company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in
vehicle safety and security services, can be found at
www.gm.com.
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SOURCE General Motors Co.