BERLIN, Germany – Progress Rail, a Caterpillar Company, is supplying up to four EMD® Joule battery electric locomotives to BNSF Railway (BNSF). Supported in part by grant funding, the locomotives would replace BNSF diesel units operating in Southern California, with charging systems for continuous operation.
“Progress Rail is excited to provide this groundbreaking zero exhaust emission technology to BNSF,” said Marty Haycraft, president and CEO of Progress Rail. “We are committed to helping our customers meet their emissions reduction goals.”
Combining its broad locomotive expertise with Caterpillar, Progress Rail will deliver the first battery electric locomotive with eight MWh of storage capacity, making the SD70J units the largest battery electric locomotives in North America.
“The Joule locomotive is an exciting advancement in battery-electric locomotive technology with more energy storage and faster charging,” commented John Lovenburg, vice president of environment & sustainability at BNSF. “The project is well aligned with BNSF’s commitment to innovation and leadership in sustainable freight. We are focused on continuing to reduce the environmental impact in the communities where we operate and proud to do our part to assess the commercial and operational viability of emerging technologies that reduce emissions.”
When delivered in 2024, the BNSF locomotives would operate in yards and routes in Southern California. Progress Rail will supply two charging stations.
