The first electric-hybrid shunting locomotive developed for Rail Cargo Hungaria visited the main station of Pécs. This is a vehicle representing a unique technology of its kind in Europe.
The locomotive, built in the south-eastern Chinese region of Hunan, was developed by the CRRC Group – the world’s largest rail vehicle manufacturer – and weighs 74 tonnes. The vehicle uses a lithium-titanate battery to perform shunting operations. Thanks to its high-capacity energy storage technology, it recharges the battery installed in the locomotive on overhead line sections, improving the vehicle’s efficiency.
The battery pack has a traction capacity of 350 kWh and can be fully charged in 2.5 hours from overhead and 8-10 hours from the grid.
The locomotive does not pollute the environment with any harmful substances. At start-up, the vehicle can develop a starting tractive effort of 250 kN. It can travel at speeds of up to 100 km/h. Its super capacity allows it to tow an 800-tonne train for 85 minutes at 20 km/h (wagon control is usually performed at a similar speed).
The vehicle will operate in Hungary once it has received its licences, and will mainly serve marshalling- and siding yards. There is no overhead line above siding and loading sidings in Hungary, so railway companies currently use costly and polluting diesel engines for reversing.
