India Railways Accelerates Green Shift, Ditches Diesel for Battery and Hydrogen

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AuthorAarav Shah|Published at:
India Railways Accelerates Green Shift, Ditches Diesel for Battery and Hydrogen
Overview

Indian Railways is accelerating its transition away from diesel locomotives, targeting short to medium runs with battery and alternative fuel-powered engines. This strategic move aims to replace approximately 2,500 diesel locomotives, marking a significant step towards cleaner operations following near-complete electrification of its vast network.

Greening the Rails

Indian Railways is making a decisive push to decarbonize its operations by accelerating the adoption of battery and alternative fuel-powered train engines. This initiative is set to replace the remaining diesel locomotives, primarily for short to medium-distance runs.

The national transporter is nearing full electrification of its 70,117 route kilometers (rkm) network, with only about 405 rkm left to electrify. The focus has now shifted to retiring or retrofitting the approximately 2,500 diesel locomotives currently in use.

Technology and Implementation

Officials indicate that the first phase will target diesel locomotives used in yard operations, shunting services, and last-mile freight connectivity. These operations currently rely on diesel traction due to non-electrified or intermittently electrified sections.

While overhead electric traction remains the dominant strategy, battery-powered solutions are being deployed for specific operational needs. Concord Control Systems has demonstrated this by successfully retrofitting a 700 HP diesel locomotive with a lithium ferro phosphate (LFP) battery. The company is also developing a 3100 HP hydrogen-fuelled locomotive propulsion system for NTPC.

Advanced Testing and Pilots

Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw recently announced the testing of the world's longest (10 coaches) and most powerful (2400 kW) Hydrogen Train Set on a Broad-Gauge platform. Pilot projects for battery-powered locomotives, including lithium-ion technology, commenced about six years ago.

Chittaranjan Locomotive Works (CLW) was tasked with producing 10 such engines, and Eastern Railway's Kanchrapara Railway Workshop converted a motor coach to function as a battery cum 25 kV shunting engine. Indian Railways has historically relied on diesel locomotives for long-haul freight, but passenger services have largely shifted to electric traction.

Major Contracts and Future Outlook

In a significant development, Siemens was awarded a Rs 26,000 crore tender in December 2022 to supply and maintain 1200 electric freight trains, with the first batch expected in May 2025. This broad investment in clean energy solutions signals a clear direction for the future of India's railway network.

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