Downer and Fortescue Zero to jointly design and develop a Battery Electric Locomotive

25/09/2024

Downer and Fortescue Zero are collaborating to jointly design and develop a Battery Electric Locomotive (BEL).

Together, the two teams will design and develop the world’s most energy efficient BEL delivering an innovative zero emissions solution for heavy haul rail, marking an important step forward to the commercialisation of zero emissions power system technologies in heavy industry applications

This collaboration draws on Downer’s rollingstock and engineering experience, combined with Fortescue Zero’s decades long experience as a heavy haul rail operator and expertise in green technologies and zero emissions power systems. 

“As Australia’s leading provider of rail and transit systems, I couldn’t be prouder that Downer will now be a world leader in helping rail eliminate emissions,” said Peter Tompkins, Downer CEO.

“With 150 years of rail experience including the ability to design, manufacture and maintain rollingstock, as well as through-life-support, Downer is excited about our role in a zero emissions future,” he continued.

The collaboration was announced at InnoTrans 2024, the world’s largest rail transport exhibition attended by over 140,000 people from the global rail industry. Coming together, were members of both teams to sign the collaboration agreement showing on a world’s stage, Australia’s commitment and capability to contribute to decarbonisation globally. 

“This collaboration highlights the strengths and capabilities we have in Australia with two leading Australian companies coming to together to tackle a global issue,” Peter concluded.

The proposed heavy haul rail solution has the potential to help Fortescue achieve their 2030 decarbonisation goals, as well as other heavy emitters globally.

The proposed heavy haul rail solution could also be a platform that enables similar solutions to be developed for passenger and other freight applications, marking the beginning of a potential long-term relationships between the two organisations. 

Fortescue Energy CEO, Mark Hutchinson said, “The signing of this agreement marks a significant step in the decarbonisation of heavy industry. We look forward to working with Downer to develop and deploy some of the world’s most energy efficient Battery Electric Locomotives.” 

Watch a video on the BEL below.