CANADA: Canadian Pacific has announced plans to develop what it says will be North Amercia’s first hydrogen-powered main line locomotive.
This will involve retrofitting fuel cells and batteries to an existing locomotive, which will then be used for testing to evaluate the technology’s readiness for the rail freight sector.
‘This is a globally significant project that positions CP at the leading edge of decarbonising the freight transportation sector’, said CP President & CEO Keith Creel on December 18. ‘CP will continue to focus on finding innovative solutions to transform our operations and adapt our business, positioning CP and our industry as leaders for a sustainable future.’
CP has previously tested biofuel, compressed natural gas and battery-powered locomotives. It said energy-saving initiatives form a core component of its sustainability practices, with diesel loco fuel efficiency having improved by more than 40% since 1990.
