Australian mining giant BHP has welcomed Australia’s first purpose-built battery-electric locomotives (BELs), which will be trialled on the company’s iron ore rail routes between its Pilbara mines and Port Hedland.
The two new purpose-built heavy-haul battery-electric locomotives arrived in Port Hedland last week, delivered in partnership with American equipment provider Wabtec.
Each locomotive has been purpose built to withstand the Pilbara region’s extreme heat and demanding conditions while delivering high performance and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The locomotives each feature a 7 megawatt-hour (MWh) battery system as well as regenerative braking technology.
Once each locomotive has been safely commissioned, the BELs will undergo track trials to test the technology in real-world conditions.
“It’s incredible to see these battery-electric locos in Port Hedland – the first new models in Australia, and representing years of planning, problem solving and partnership,” said Tim Day, BHP Western Australia iron ore asset president.
“It marks the beginning of an important trial to understand how this technology can help us reduce diesel use, lower associated operational greenhouse gas emissions and improve efficiency across our rail network.”
“The Pilbara has always been a place of big ambition, and these locomotives represent the kind of innovation that is needed to keep the region firing.”
Wabtec announced the order for the two FLXdrive battery locomotives back in January of 2022, at which time they were expected to be delivered in 2023. It is unclear why there was such a delay in delivery of the two locomotives.
“The arrival of Australia’s first battery-electric locomotives marks a significant milestone for heavy-haul rail innovation in the Pilbara,” said Peter Thomas, Wabtec’s regional senior vice president for ANZ & SEA.
Thomas said the FLXDrive locomotives are purpose-built to perform in one of the world’s most demanding environments, combining advanced battery technology and regenerative braking to deliver high efficiency and lower emissions.
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.