Rio Tinto purchases first battery-electric trains for the Pilbara

Rhea-AI Summary

Rio Tinto has committed to enhancing its sustainability efforts by purchasing four battery-electric trains for use in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. This move aims to lower carbon emissions by 50% by 2030. The trains, acquired from Wabtec Corporation, will begin production in the U.S. in 2023, with trials set for early 2024. Transitioning to electric locomotives is projected to reduce diesel-related emissions by 30% annually. This initiative underscores Rio Tinto's dedication to innovative decarbonization strategies in its operations.

Positive

• Acquisition of battery-electric trains aligns with sustainability goals to reduce carbon emissions by 50% by 2030.
• Projected 30% reduction in diesel-related carbon emissions in the Pilbara from transitioning to electric locomotives.

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• None.

PERTH, Australia--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Rio Tinto has agreed to purchase four battery-electric trains for use in the Pilbara region of Western Australia as part of the company’s strategy to reduce its carbon emissions by 50 per cent by 2030.

Rio Tinto purchased the four 7MWh FLXdrive battery-electric locomotives from Wabtec Corporation with production due to commence in the United States in 2023 ahead of initial trials in the Pilbara in early 2024.

The locomotives, used to carry ore from the company’s mines to its ports, will be recharged at purpose-built charging stations at the port or mine. They will also be capable of generating additional energy while in transit through a regenerative braking system which takes energy from the train and uses it to recharge the onboard batteries.

A full transition to net zero emissions technology of its entire fleet of rail locomotives would reduce Rio Tinto Iron Ore’s diesel-related carbon emissions in the Pilbara by around 30 per cent annually.

Rio Tinto Managing Director of Port, Rail and Core Services Richard Cohen said delivery of the prototype locomotives will be an important early step for the company on the path toward a decarbonised Pilbara.

“Our partnership with Wabtec is an investment in innovation and an acknowledgement of the need to increase the pace of our decarbonisation efforts.

“Battery-electric locomotives offer significant potential for emissions reduction in the near term as we seek to reduce our Scope 1 & 2 carbon emissions in the Pilbara by 50 per cent by 2030.”

Rogerio Mendonca, President of Freight Equipment for Wabtec, said the FLXdrive is ideally suited to support Rio Tinto’s decarbonisation targets.

“This locomotive provides the power, fuel savings and emissions reductions to cost-effectively run rail networks in the mining industry. The rapid adoption of the FLXdrive by Rio Tinto and other mining operators demonstrates the industry’s commitment to decarbonising their operations.”

Once delivered, the locomotives will be trialled within controlled environments in the Pilbara and tested against a range of safety and functional criteria, including integration with AutoHaul™.

This flagship project reaffirms Rio Tinto’s commitment to significantly reducing carbon emissions by switching to renewable power and rolling out electric mobile fleets across the Pilbara.

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220110005396/en/

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Media Relations, Australia

Jonathan Rose

M +61 447 028 913

Matt Chambers

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Jesse Riseborough

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Jamie Macdonald

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Kate Barcham

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Rio Tinto plc

6 St James’s Square

London SW1Y 4AD

United Kingdom

T +44 20 7781 2000

Registered in England

No. 719885

Rio Tinto Limited

Level 7, 360 Collins Street

Melbourne 3000

Australia

T +61 3 9283 3333

Registered in Australia

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riotinto.com

Category: Pilbara

Source: Rio Tinto

FAQ

What is Rio Tinto's commitment regarding carbon emissions?

Rio Tinto aims to reduce its carbon emissions by 50% by 2030.

What type of locomotives is Rio Tinto purchasing?

Rio Tinto is purchasing four battery-electric FLXdrive locomotives from Wabtec Corporation.

When will the trials for the new locomotives take place?

Trials for the new locomotives are set to begin in early 2024.

Where will the battery-electric trains be used?

The battery-electric trains will be used in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.

How much will transitioning to electric locomotives reduce emissions?

The transition to electric locomotives is expected to reduce diesel-related carbon emissions by approximately 30% annually.