Recently, China’s first heavy-haul high-power locomotive powered by battery or electric, which can be used in both trunk line or for shunting, commenced its trial operation at the Nanping Station of the Xinshuo Railway.

By building a locomotive platform for traction capacities between 5,000 and 6,000 tonnes, this new locomotive introduces an innovative integrated trunking-shunting transportation model for heavy-haul freight, integrating various control strategies including pantograph mode, battery mode, hybrid mode, low constant-speed mode, and dynamic braking mode. Utilizing a hybrid power supply model of catenary and  batteries, the locomotive intelligently switches its power source and operational modes based on different scenarios, including continuous transportation in electrified and non-electrified areas, which can not only accommodate trunk line traction and in-station shunting, but also directly serve power plants, thus achieving integrated transportation while reducing the time spent on locomotive swapping operations. Furthermore, this new locomotive saves over three hours in total turnaround time, effectively enhancing transportation organization efficiency.

In addition, the locomotive is equipped with an intelligent battery management system and automatic fire extinguishing systems for battery, enabling real-time and accurate monitoring of battery system parameters and status feedback. It can also automatically detect battery temperature and smoke, initiating cooling measures in advance to prevent battery overheat. Furthermore, the locomotive adopts new energy power technology, proposing a supply method combining power grid supply and energy storage units with fast-charging capabilities that can fully take in regenerative braking energy. Compared to diesel locomotives, this technology is expected to reduce annual nitrogen oxide emissions by approximately 53 tonnes, saving an estimated RMB 2.1534 million per unit in fuel costs. With its intelligent, efficient, green, eco-friendly, and energy-conserving features, the locomotive reduces emissions and fills a technological gap in the industry.