Rio Tinto Orders Wabtec FLXdrive Battery Locomotives to Reduce Emissions
January 10 2022 - 5:42PM
Business Wire
Wabtec Corporation (NYSE: WAB) and Rio Tinto announced today an
order for four FLXdrive battery-electric locomotives to support
sustainable operations of the mining company’s rail network in the
Pilbara region of Western Australia. The 100-percent,
battery-powered locomotive will help Rio Tinto’s effort to achieve
a 50-percent reduction in Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by
2030.
“Our partnership with Wabtec is an investment in innovation and
an acknowledgment of the need to increase the pace of our
decarbonization efforts,” said Rio Tinto Iron Ore Managing Director
of Port, Rail and Core Services Richard Cohen. “By locking this in
now, we are making progress in our efforts to reduce our Scope 1
and 2 carbon emissions by 50 percent by 2030.”
Rio Tinto ordered the newest version of the FLXdrive
battery-electric locomotive, which features an energy capacity of 7
megawatt-hours (MWh). Based on the route from the mine to the port
at Dampier in Western Australia and Rio Tinto’s mainline rail
operations, the FLXdrive is anticipated to reduce the company’s
fuel costs and emissions in percentage by double digits per
train.
“The FLXdrive is ideally suited to support Rio Tinto’s
sustainability targets for their Pilbara system,” said Rogerio
Mendonca, President of Freight Equipment for Wabtec. “This
locomotive provides the tractive effort, fuel savings, and
emissions reductions to cost-effectively run rail networks in the
mining industry. The rapid adoption of the FLXdrive by Rio Tinto
and other mining operators demonstrates the industry’s commitment
to decarbonizing their operations. This solution represents a major
step toward achieving zero-emission locomotive fleets in the
future.”
Wabtec will deliver the FLXdrive battery locomotives to Rio
Tinto in 2023. The mining company plans on using the locomotives in
multiple applications including as a shunter in the railyard and
ultimately in mainline service. In mainline operations, Rio Tinto
currently uses three diesel-electric locomotives in a consist to
pull trains with 240 cars hauling about 28,000 tons of iron ore.
The FLXdrives will transition from the diesel locomotives in
mainline service to form a hybrid consist, and recharge during the
trip through regenerative braking and at charging stations.
Wabtec’s next generation energy-management software system will
determine the optimal times to discharge and recharge the batteries
along to route ensuring the most fuel-efficient operation of the
entire locomotive consist during the trip.
“Rio Tinto is a progressive leader in the mining industry
adopting advanced technologies necessary to drive sustainable,
efficient operations that deliver results for its customers,
shareholders, and communities,” said Wendy McMillan, Regional
Senior Vice President South East Asia, Australia, and New Zealand
for Wabtec. “We are proud to continue our long-standing
relationship with Rio Tinto and support their efforts to reduce
emissions and operating costs with the FLXdrive battery
locomotive.”
Wabtec continues to build momentum in the mining and rail
markets for the FLXdrive battery locomotive. The FLXdrive is the
world’s first 100-percent, battery-powered locomotive, and part of
Wabtec’s goal to develop the next generation of zero-emission
locomotives. The company has a clear path in the rail industry 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.
About 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 website at: www.wabteccorp.com.
About Rio Tinto
Rio Tinto is a mining and metals company operating in 35
countries around the world. Our purpose is to produce the materials
essential to human progress.
Our four product groups bring this purpose to life: Aluminium,
Copper, Minerals and Iron Ore. These are complemented by our
Safety, Technical and Projects, Strategy and Development, and
Commercial groups, as well as our service and support
functions.
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220110005859/en/
Wabtec Media Contacts: Tim Bader (United States contact)
Wabtec +1 682-319-7925 or tim.bader@wabtec.com
Sarah Smallhorn Guppy (Australia contact) Rowland +61 7 3229
4499 or Sarah.SmallhornGuppy@rowland.com.au
Rio Tinto Media Contact: Jamie Macdonald +61 467 725
517
Kate Barcham +61 438 990 238
Wabtec (NYSE:WAB)
Historical Stock Chart
From Mar 2024 to Apr 2024
Wabtec (NYSE:WAB)
Historical Stock Chart
From Apr 2023 to Apr 2024