CANADA: Cando Rail & Terminals has unveiled a battery-powered shunting locomotive which is says marks ‘a major step forward in sustainable rail operations and industrial decarbonisation’.
The fully-electric locomotive powered by a lithium-ion battery is designed to eliminate local emissions, reduce noise, and cut energy costs in yards and industrial sites where a fixed power supply is available for charging.
Li-Ion 2025 development
The C$4m development project branded Li-Ion 2025 by the operator has been supported with C$2m of funding from the Emissions Reduction Alberta programme. Cando has worked with US-based Innovative Rail Technologies on the project, which involved rebuilding a legacy diesel loco.
Cando believes retrofitting batteries could offer a viable path to provide a cleaner operation for more than 2 000 shunters currently in operation in Canada.
It selected nickel manganese cobalt batteries for the loco, as although these have a lower energy density compared to other li-ion batteries they offer thermal runaway protection, packaging that prevents self-ignition and firefighting can be undertaken using standard extinguishers.
Testing and commercialisation
The first phase of field testing was undertaken in Winnipeg earlier this year. Following the unveiling on September 10, Cando will test the loco in the real-world shunting environment at its Southlands Terminal in Edmonton with a view to finalising commercialisation plans in early 2026.
‘This project reflects our continued commitment to safety, innovation, and environmental leadership’, said Chief Operating Officer Paul Duncan. ‘By investing in battery-powered technology, we will be reducing emissions in our operations while creating a scalable solution for cold weather climates that can transform industrial rail switching operations across our network.’
