Wabtec FLXDrive

{{Short description|Class of battery-electric locomotives}} {{Infobox locomotive | name = Wabtec FLXDrive | image = | alt = | caption = | powertype = Battery-electric | designer = | builder = Wabtec/GE Transportation | ordernumber = | serialnumber = | buildmodel = | builddate = December 2019 - Present | totalproduction = 1 (18 on order) | rebuilder = | rebuilddate = | numberrebuilt = | aarwheels = A1A-A1A | uicclass = | driver = | gauge = {{track gauge|ussg}} | trucks = GE Hi-Ad | bogies = | wheeldiameter = | minimumcurve = | wheelbase = | engine total = | drivers =  | truck =  | pivotcentres = | wheelspacing = | length = | over couplers = | body = | width = | height = | axleload = | weightondrivers = | locoweight = | fueltype = | fuelcap = | lubecap = | coolantcap = | watercap = | sandcap = | powersupply = | consumption = | watercons = | primemover = | rpmrange = | rpmrange low = | rpmrange idle = | rpmrange max = | enginetype = | aspiration = | displacement = | alternator = | generator = | tractionmotors = | t/m amps 1 hr = | t/m amps cont = | headendpower = | cylindercount = | cylindersize = | transmission = | gear ratio = | multipleworking = | trainheating = | locobrakes = | dynamicpeakeffort = | locobrakeforce = | trainbrakes = | reservoircap = | compressorcap = | exhaustercap = | coupling = | maxspeed = {{convert|75|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on}} | poweroutput = {{convert|4400|hp|kW|2|abbr=on}} | poweroutput start = | poweroutput 1 hr = | poweroutput cont = | tractiveeffort = | t/e starting = | t/e 1 hr = | t/e continuous = | factorofadhesion = | f/adh starting = | f/adh 1 hr = | f/adh continuous = | safety = | operator = {{Ubl | Union Pacific | Canadian National | Rio Tinto | BHP | Roy Hill }} | operatorclass = | powerclass = | numinclass = | fleetnumbers = | officialname = | nicknames = | axleloadclass = | locale = {{Ubl | United States | Canada | Australia}} | deliverydate = | firstrundate = | lastrundate = | retiredate = | withdrawndate = | preservedunits = | restoredate = | scrapdate = | currentowner = | disposition = | notes = }} The '''Wabtec FLXDrive''' platform (pronounced "flex-drive") is a class of battery-electric locomotives manufactured by Wabtec's GE Transportation subsidiary beginning in 2019. Using a modified version of the GE Evolution Series platform, FLXdrive is Wabtec's first zero-emissions locomotive, storing energy in 20 racks of lithium-ion battery cells.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wabteccorp.com/locomotive/alternative-fuel-locomotives/flxdrive|title=FLXdrive|website=Wabtec Corporation|access-date=December 5, 2022}}</ref> FLXDrive is a hybrid-electric locomotive, meaning it works in conjunction with traditional diesel-electric locomotives to provide regenerative braking for a train. The first-generation locomotives (with a capacity of 2.4 MWh) are able to operate 30 to 40 minutes at full power when being not connected to another locomotive.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Vantuono |first=William C. |date=September 14, 2021 |title=FLXdrive 'Electrifies' Pittsburgh |url=https://www.railwayage.com/news/flxdrive-electrifies-pittsburgh/ |access-date=2022-12-08 |website=Railway Age}}</ref>

The first prototype locomotive, number 3000, was successfully tested on BNSF Railway in 2021 and found to reduce fuel consumption when paired with conventional diesel-electric locomotives.<ref name=":0" /> Since 2020, FLXDrive locomotives have been ordered by Union Pacific, Canadian National, Rio Tinto,<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-01-10 |title=Rio Tinto orders four Wabtec FLXdrive all battery electric locos to help cut Scope 1 & 2 emissions in the Pilbara |url=https://im-mining.com/2022/01/10/rio-tinto-orders-four-wabtec-flxdrive-battery-electric-locos-help-cut-scope-1-2-emissions-pilbara/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20221206015113/https://im-mining.com/2022/01/10/rio-tinto-orders-four-wabtec-flxdrive-battery-electric-locos-help-cut-scope-1-2-emissions-pilbara/ |archive-date=2022-12-06 |access-date=2025-11-21 |work=International Mining |language=}}</ref> BHP, and Roy Hill. The first locomotives are scheduled to enter service in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Casey |first=Tina |date=2022-01-17 |title=Wabtec's Electric Locomotive Trickle Suddenly Becomes A Flood |url=https://cleantechnica.com/2022/01/17/wabtecs-100-electric-locomotive-trickle-suddenly-becomes-international-flood/ |access-date=2022-12-08 |website=CleanTechnica |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2022, Wabtec announced a line of battery-electric locomotives including six-axle, four-axle, and foreign market variants.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.wabteccorp.com/FLXdrive-Battery-Electric-Locomotive |title=Battery Electric Locomotive Technology FLXdrive |type=PDF |date=September 9, 2022 |website=Wabtec Corporation|access-date=December 5, 2022}}</ref> Wabtec plans to market the FLXDrive in tandem with hydrogen-powered locomotives, allowing the two types to complement each other.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fender |first=Keith |date=September 23, 2022 |title=Wabtec planning for transition from diesel |url=https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/wabtec-planning-for-transition-from-diesel/ |access-date=2022-12-08 |website=Trains}}</ref>

On October 31, 2023, Wabtec unveiled the first production FLXDrive locomotive planned for delivery to the Australian Roy Hill ore railway in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 31, 2023 |title=Wabtec and Roy Hill Unveil the First FLXdrive Battery Locomotive |url=https://www.wabteccorp.com/newsroom/press-releases/wabtec-and-roy-hill-unveil-the-first-flxdrive-battery-locomotive/ |access-date=2023-12-29 |website=Wabtec Corporation}}</ref> That unit, however, was never delivered and is now part of the test fleet. <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjAv3RSQXyo | title=Roy Hill's FLX Drive Battery Locomotive is no more, it is now Wabtec 2025! | website=YouTube | date=9 May 2025 }}</ref>

BHP's locomotives arrived in Port Hedland in November 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=BHP takes delivery of Australia’s first purpose-built battery-electric locomotives |url=https://www.miningweekly.com/article/bhp-takes-delivery-of-australias-first-purpose-built-battery-electric-locomotives-2025-11-17 |access-date=2025-11-19 |website=Mining Weekly |language=en}}</ref>

== Customers == {| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible" style="text-align:left;margin:auto" !Owner !{{Abbr|Qty.|Quantity ordered|}} !{{Abbr|No.|Locomotive numbers|}} !Notes |- |GE Transportation |1 |3000 | |- |BHP |2 |9001, 9002 | |- |Canadian National |1 |TBD | |- |Rio Tinto |4 |TBD |Trial cancelled<ref>{{Cite news |date=2026-02-14 |title=Forrest launches battery-powered trains as green deadline nears |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-15/fortescue-battery-electric-locomotives-pilbara/106022632 |access-date=2026-02-17 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}</ref> |- |Roy Hill |1 |2001 |Never delivered, now GECX 2025 |- |Union Pacific |10 |TBD | |- !colspan=1 style="text-align:right"|Total !18 ! ! |}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{Portal|Trains|North America}} * [https://www.wabteccorp.com/locomotive/alternative-fuel-locomotives/flxdrive FLXdrive]

{{GE electrics}} Category:C-C locomotives Category:Freight locomotives Category:Standard-gauge locomotives of the United States Category:Railway locomotives introduced in 2019 Category:Battery electric locomotives