Wabtec and Kazakhstan Temir Zholy Sign $600 Million Memorandum of Understanding for FLXdriveTM Battery-Electric Shunters and NextFuelTM Liquid Natural Gas-Powered Locomotives
September 20 2022 - 6:30AM
Business Wire
Wabtec (NYSE: WAB) and Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) signed a
historic memorandum of understanding (MOU) for 150 FLXdriveTM
battery-electric shunters and modernization work to transform the
mainline fleet into NextFuelTM liquid natural gas-powered (LNG)
locomotives. The investment marks the largest sustainable
technology agreement by the CIS railroad, and will further
revolutionize KTZ’s mainline and yard operations, while
significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and operating
costs.
“Since early 2000, KTZ has been the regional transportation
leader in adopting state-of-the-art technologies and is honoring
that legacy by pioneering the transition to a low-carbon rail
network with Wabtec’s FLXdrive battery-electric technology,” said
Rafael Santana, President and CEO for Wabtec. “Battery power is an
ideal solution to reduce the environmental impact and costs of yard
operations. Using the FLXdrive in a rail yard can significantly
improve local air quality and reduce noise for neighboring
communities. We are proud to partner with KTZ on this strategic
investment.”
The FLXdrive shunters will be 100% battery powered with more
than 1.5 megawatt hours of energy. These new shunters are a
zero-emission solution for KTZ, enabling the railroad to reduce the
fuel cost of its yard operations by approximately $75,000 per
shunter per year. The FLXdrives also will reduce scheduled
maintenance by up to 97% and avoid costly electrification
investments.
To support KTZ’s mainline fleet sustainability efforts, Wabtec
will provide NextFuel kits to convert the traditional diesel
locomotives to LNG. Wabtec’s NextFuel LNG mainline locomotives will
increase the operational range of travel by more than two-fold –
from 1,300 km to 3,000 km and decrease fuel costs by up to 26%.
Wabtec and KTZ also will collaborate on digital solutions for
the fleet. The first digital product is Trip Optimizer, providing
fuel-efficient operation modes for freight trains to reduce fuel
consumption by at least 5%. Pilot testing is planned for the fourth
quarter and with successful results it will be deployed on KTZ
locomotives.
Wabtec will build the FLXdrives and convert the locomotives to
LNG at the LKZ facility in Nur Sultan, Kazakhstan. Production will
begin in 2024.
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. Visit Wabtec’s website at: www.WabtecCorp.com.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220920005416/en/
Media Contact: Tim Bader Wabtec 682-319-7925
tim.bader@wabtec.com Investor Contact: Kristine Kubacki, CFA
412-450-2033 Kristine.Kubacki@wabtec.com
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