US Steel unveils battery-powered locomotive

US Steel announced its commitment to reduce emissions to net zero by 2050.

The company has converted two of its diesel switcher locomotives at Mon Valley Works' Edgar Thomson and Clairton Plants to state-of-the-art battery-powered locomotives. The locomotives are manufactured by Innovative Rail Technologies (IRT), a provider of customized lithium-ion propulsion solutions to the locomotive rail market. US Steel invested more than $2.3 million in the locomotives, with the remaining cost offset through a partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

The locomotives are expected to reduce airborne particulate matter (PM2.5) emissions by 0.385 tons, equivalent to the emissions of 7,000 gasoline-powered passenger cars, as they move through the facilities carrying steel, coke, scrap metal, iron ore and other materials needed for production.

"We are introducing the first battery-powered, motorized locomotive used in the industry here, a switcher locomotive that remains on site," said Mark Jeffrey, plant manager at Clairton Coke Works, who said the area will benefit from the significant reduction in local pollution from diesel locomotives.