Electric train

Light-duty EVs in the US used more electricity than rail systems for the first time in 2023, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Brightline West, a future electric high-speed rail line between Las Vegas and Los Angeles, broke ground today in Nevada.

Zero-emissions freight mobility solutions developer Intramotev is touting its latest milestone today, successfully deploying its battery-electric self-propelled railcar with a mining client based in Pennsylvania.

Entering its trial third year to study the feasibility of battery-electric rail, UK’s Great Western Railway (GWR) has hit an encouraging milestone, traveling further in the region than any battery-electric train before it. Its latest treks surpassed expectations and offered further confidence toward a more sustainable future in train travel.

The Biden administration just announced $16.4 billion to upgrade the Northeast Corridor’s rail infrastructure – here’s why that’s going to impact a lot of people.

Wabtec’s FLXdrive Heavy Haul locomotive, the world’s first 100% battery-electric heavy-haul locomotive for mainline service, is headed to Australia to transport iron ore.

Amtrak has replaced a diesel-powered bus on the Pacific Northwest’s Cascades route with its first electric bus.

Electrification and automation giant ABB just launched a new factory in Virginia that will make batteries and other components for electric buses, heavy mining trucks, and trains.

Zero-emissions freight mobility solutions developer Intramotev is helping clean up an industry its technology could one day replace altogether. Pennsylvanian coal mining company Iron Senergy has purchased three of Intramotev’s ReVolt battery electric railcars to reduce emissions on its railways.

A young tech company called Intramotev has developed zero-emissions freight mobility solutions that could help significantly decarbonize (and revitalize) a major industry in the US. Following a new $200,000 grant from the state of Michigan, Intramotev looks to deploy three of its self-propelled battery-electric railcars in the state later this year.

Since I moved to Vermont a year ago, I’ve both driven my Tesla Model 3 and taken an Amtrak train to visit family in Pennsylvania. Here’s why I prefer to take the train in the Northeast Corridor – the busiest railroad in North America.

Amtrak has unveiled details of its newest train – the Amtrak Airo – that will replace its 50-year-old trains starting in 2026.

Kawasaki M8 Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) electric trains began to run on Connecticut’s Shore Line East this week.

Following recent news of the purchase of ten electric locomotives from Wabtec, Union Pacific railroad has followed up by purchasing another ten from Progress Rail, a Caterpillar Inc. company. Union Pacific’s combined electric locomotive purchases and upgrades to its rail yard infrastructure are expected to exceed $100 million, making it the largest investment in battery-electric technology by a US Class I railroad.

North American railroad Union Pacific announced it has purchased ten FLXDrive battery-electric locomotives from manufacturer Wabtec. The purchase marks the largest number of FLXDrives placed in a single order for Wabtec, as well as the largest investment in battery-electric locomotives by a North American railroad (Union Pacific).

Rail freight manufacturer Wabtec Corporation has announced its latest customer is Rio Tinto, one of the largest metal and mining companies on the planet. Rio Tinto’s order for four of Wabtec’s FLXdrive battery-electric locomotives will support its effort to achieve a 50% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030.

Canadian National Railway Company (CN) announced the purchase of Wabtec’s FLXdrive battery-electric freight locomotive, the first to join its 19,500-mile rail network. The purchase was part of CN’s sustainability strategy to reduce freight transportation emissions and will be supported by a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

Rail freight manufacturer Wabtec Corporation has officially unveiled the newest version of what it calls “the world’s first battery-electric freight train.” The electric train, known as FLXdrive Battery Locomotive, is no longer just a prototype and has made its official debut in Pittsburgh, PA, following Wabtec’s first sale of the locomotive earlier this week.

General Motors (GM) has announced a collaboration with Wabtec Corporation to attempt to develop and implement its Ultium battery technology into Wabtec’s freight locomotives. GM also plans to develop its HYDROTEC hydrogen fuel cell systems for Wabtec to commercialize zero-emission, heavy-duty locomotives.

In today’s Electrek Green Energy Brief (EGEB):

• The Long Island Rail Road will analyze its trains to see whether they can run on batteries alone.
• Why US homeowners install – or don’t install – solar panels.
• UnderstandSolar is a free service that links you to top-rated solar installers in your region for personalized solar estimates. Tesla now offers price matching, so it’s important to shop for the best quotes. Click here to learn more and get your quotes. — *ad.

High-speed rail is part of everyday life in many parts of the world – but not in the US, where the car is still very much king. US Transport Secretary Pete Buttigieg wants to change that, and so do a lot of US residents and companies, but it’s going to be an enormous challenge.