Siemens Mobility has introduced its brand-new passenger locomotive, The Charger B+AC, which is set to be the first battery-electric powered passenger locomotive to enter service within North America.
The new locomotive joins Siemens’ line of alternative propulsion systems such as the battery-electric Mireo Plus B, hydrogen-powered Mireo Plus H and hybrid-power Vectron locomotives.
Andre Rodenbeck, CEO Rolling Stock at Siemens Mobility, said:Expanding our portfolio with the Charger B+AC emphasizes our dedication to providing the best propulsion solutions for every customer need.
With a growing range of battery, hydrogen, and hybrid propulsion technologies, we’re empowering operators to make efficient, sustainable, and future-oriented investments – supported by reliable platforms and decades of rail expertise.
Tailored specifically for the North American market; The Charger B+AC integrates a battery system with a pantograph, drawing electrical power primarily from overhead catenary wires and transitioning to battery mode in and around stations without catenary power.
The locomotive is aimed at operators who either have, or intend to have, partial electrification across their networks, with the use of battery-electric power negating the need to sacrifice distance or speed capabilities.
Charger B+AC locomotives are capable of powering trains at speeds of up to 125 mph under catenary power and 100 miles under battery power, dependent on both route & train.
The locomotives are fully manufactured in the US and offer a number of charging options including catenary, plug-in and dynamic braking.
The first order for the new locomotives has come from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and Metro-North Railroad in New York who have ordered 13 battery-electric passenger locomotives for a future railcar fleet expansion.
