FLXdrive™
BATTERY-ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY
Wabtec is leading the transition to low-carbon rail operations with FLXdrive — the world’s first 100% battery-electric, heavy-haul locomotive.
The FLXdrive battery-electric locomotive can deliver battery capacities to meet various rail application needs. With haulage capabilities comparable to its diesel equivalent, the FLXdrive heavy-haul locomotive is designed to replace a diesel locomotive within a consist, unlocking new levels of operational flexibility.
The heart of the FLXdrive system is the liquid-cooled battery technology and proprietary thermal management system developed to optimize energy output and battery life. Wabtec’s rail-specific battery architecture is designed to maximize safety, reliability, and performance..
In addition to the in-mission regenerative brake charging, FLXdrive locomotives feature a DC fast-charging option utilizing a stationary pantograph. Planned future options will include moving-charge capabilities for increased range and uninterrupted operations.
The FLXdrive’s modular and scalable battery architecture is designed to integrate across multiple rail vehicles and environments, including heavy-haul, yard, regional, commuter, hybrid, and specialty locomotives.
FLXdrive Locomotive Products Feature
- Safe and easy equipment access for maintenance – enhanced LOTO provisions
- Battery safety design - mitigate cell failure impact & propagation
- Robust battery capacity and power
- High reliability, efficiency, and tractive effort
- Dependable single axle control propulsion
- Rail-purpose Wabtec battery and charging technology
- Service-proven traction components
- Industry-leading manufacturing expertise
- Best-in-class energy management technology
FLXdrive Locomotive Specifications
Wabtec offers a wide portfolio of FLXdrive products to serve the requirements of global customers.
For customers in North America, South America, Central Asia, and Australia – Wabtec has a suite of battery-powered, heavy-haul mainline and switcher locomotives. These products are suitable for operation in multi- or single-unit consists providing reliable and safe zero-emission rail solutions.
Wabtec offers a battery and electric dual-mode locomotive for European customers that have overhead electric catenary systems, which can provide zero-emission, high-tractive effort operation on electrified and non-electrified networks allowing long-range operation over routes with mixed overhead voltages (25 kV AC / 15 kV AC).
| FLXdrive Locomotive Specifications | FLXdrive Heavy-Haul | FLXdrive Switcher | FLXdrive Shunter | FLXdrive eHybrid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applicable Regions | North America, South America, Australia | North America, South America | Central Asia | Europe |
| # of Axles | 6 | 6 | 4 | 6 |
| Wheel Arrangement | CoCo | CoCo | BoBo | CoCo |
| # of Operator Cabs | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Max Battery Capacity (MWh) | 8.5 | 4.6 | 1.9 | 1.5 or 2.3 |
| Max Traction Power (MW) | 3.2 | 3.1 | 1 | 0.8 to 1.3 (battery only) 3.8 to 5.5 (electric + battery mode) |
| STE (klbf / kN) | 200 / 890 | 200 / 890 | 83 / 370 | 117 / 520 |
| Weight (klbs / tons) | 432 / 196 | 417 / 189 | 212 / 96 | 278 / 126 |
| Electric Supply | --- | --- | --- | 25 kV AC / 15 kV AC |
