Diesel-electric trains have been a feature of U.S. life since the 1920’s. They began replacing steam a decade later, thanks to superior performance and lower visible pollution. However, the public did not at the time realize they were still stacking carbon in the atmosphere. Battery electric freight could save 50% energy by reversing some of that out, and halving the sector’s carbon dioxide load.
That’s According to Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
You don’t have to take our word for that remarkable claim. The information comes from Berkeley National Laboratory in California, conducting research of behalf of U.S. Department of Energy. Hence their post of November 24, 2021 is an official document we can trust, and confidently link too below.
The price of diesel fuel has risen to the point where it is on par with electricity. Thus the argument that diesel-electric power is cheaper has fallen away, with global warming an increasingly pressing issue. And moreover, the comparison becomes almost a no-brainier when we add environmental and health concerns.
‘Our analysis shows that a switch to battery-electric freight will cut the industry’s annual carbon dioxide emission by more than half. Eliminating more than 400 million metric tons of carbon dioxide in 20 years,’ Berkeley Lab scientist Natalie Popovich adds.
How Battery Electric Freight is Best for Saving 50% Energy
The Berkeley Laboratory considered several options for fully-electrifying U.S. freight trains:
1… Installing a network of overhead power lines at high capital cost.
2… Using hydrogen cells in conjunction with battery-powered locos.
However, they concluded a ‘pure battery pathway’ offers the most cost-effective, long-term solution with multiple added benefits. The numbers add up neatly in their report.
Firstly, existing battery technology could power a freight train for 150 miles. This is the average daily distance U.S. freight trains cover. And secondly, battery electric freight could save 50% energy compared to diesel. We explain more benefits of freight trains running on batteries in our next-but-one post.
Related Posts
Rapid Conversion to Battery Freight is Feasible
Batteries on Wheels Could Power Our Future
Preview Image: Recharging a Two-Car Electric Tram
