In August 2012 General Electric’s (GE) Transport Division introduced the first Tier 4 Heavy-Haul Locomotive called the “Evolution Series Locomotive” that significantly decreases emissions and saves railway customers billions in infrastructure and operation costs. According to the US Department of Transportation this technology is a critical part of revitalizing American manufacturing, job creation, and a safer, faster and more efficient transportation system.
The US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) new particulate emission standards lower permitted particulate matter by 70% and Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) by 76%. Achieving these standards required significant technological innovation and collaboration between policymakers and the industry.
GE locomotives currently operate in more than 60 countries and include new, remanufactured and modernized locomotives for both purchase and lease. GE, rather than meeting the standard through the use of special exhaust additives and infrastructure upgrades invested $600 million over six years to develop novel technology solutions to meet the new standard.
The innovations for the heavy haul locomotive have come out of the application of GE’s Global Research Center (GRC) expertise and technology advances that enhance engine systems, components, support systems, pulling capacity, engine performance, emissions and fuel efficiency.
Cleanest, Most Fuel Efficient Diesel Locomotive In History
The Evolution Locomotive is the most advanced, fuel-efficient, and environmentally clean diesel locomotive in history. It is a hybrid diesel-electric locomotive that captures braking energy and stores it in batteries and allows railroads to move a ton of freight nearly 500 miles on a single gallon of fuel.
As with many GE products, lifecycle cost advantages of the newest heavy haul freight locomotives are significant. GE installed more than 8,000 fuel saving solutions that are overseen by intelligent onboard systems to make both trains and fleets better.
The following video shows GE’s new hybrid locomotive.