CP Rail plans to develop first hydrogen-powered locomotive
Calgary-based Canadian Pacific Railway plans to develop North America's first hydrogen-powered freight locomotive.
The company announced Friday that it will be retrofitting one of its locomotives with hydrogen fuel cells and battery technology that will power the locomotive's electric traction motors. It will then conduct tests and rail service trials to evaluate if the technology can work for the freight-rail sector.
In a news release, CEO Keith Creel called the locomotive plan a “globally significant project” that positions the company at the leading edge of decarbonizing the freight transportation sector. Currently, nearly all of North America's entire freight locomotive fleet consists of diesel-powered units, making locomotives the rail sector's most significant source of greenhouse gas emissions.
Globally, hydrogen use for heating, transportation and electricity production is viewed as one possible solution as countries look to meet their climate targets. In Canada, Natural Resources Minister Seamus O'regan introduced a federal hydrogen plan earlier this month in an effort to cement
Canada as a global supplier of the zero-emission fuel, help hit the country's goal of net-zero emissions by 2050 and create up to 350,000 new jobs.
The Alberta government also has its own hydrogen plan. The province wants to use its natural gas reserves to become an exporter of hydrogen by 2040.