Wabtec, General Motors join hands to develop Hydrogen Fuel Cell Solutions for Rail Industry

Krishtina D'Silva Posted on: 2021-06-16 14:43:00 Viewer: 3,060 Comments: 0 Country: United States City: Pittsburgh

Wabtec, General Motors join hands to develop Hydrogen Fuel Cell Solutions for Rail Industry (Image for representation only)

Pittsburgh, United States (Urban Transport News): Wabtec Corporation has announced that the will collaborate with General Motors to develop and commercialize GM’s Ultium battery technology and HYDROTEC hydrogen fuel cell systems for Wabtec locomotives.

Wabtec Corporation and General Motors signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MoU) on June 15, 2021, to advance the two companies’ shared vision of a zero-emissions future in transportation. Wabtec will bring its expertise in energy management and systems optimization, to develop a solution for heavy haul locomotives that takes full advantage of GM’s advanced technologies.

“The rail industry is on the cusp of a sustainable transformation with the introduction of batteries and hydrogen to power locomotive fleets. Our FLXdrive locomotive, the world’s first 100-percent battery-powered locomotive, has proven its potential to slash carbon emissions by up to 30 percent when operating at 6 MWh. But we can’t stop there. By working with GM on Ultium battery and HYDROTEC hydrogen fuel cell technologies, we can accelerate the rail industry’s path to decarbonization and pathway to zero-emission locomotives by leveraging these two important propulsion technologies,” said Rafael Santana, CEO and President of Wabtec.

“Rail networks are critical to transportation and to GM’s ability to serve our customers across North America, and Wabtec’s bold plan to de-carbonize heavy haul and other locomotive applications helps advance our vision of a world with zero crashes, zero emissions and zero congestion. Wabtec’s decision to deploy GM’s Ultium battery and HYDROTEC hydrogen fuel cell systems further validates our advanced technology and demonstrates its versatility,” said mark Reuss, President at General Motors.

Ultium battery technology of General Motors is anticipated to provide the flexibility, efficiency, power and reliability needed for rail. Ultium Cells LLC, GM’s joint venture with LG Energy Solution, is currently constructing battery cell plants in Ohio and Tennessee.

HYDROTEC hydrogen fuel cell power cubes are compact and easy to package and can be used in a wide range of applications, including locomotives. HYDROTEC fuel cell systems will be assembled by Fuel Cell Systems Manufacturing LLC in Brownstown, Michigan, the manufacturing joint venture between General Motors and Honda.





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