DB Cargo partners with Toshiba to develop hybrid locomotives

The Mainz, Germany-based freight rail operator, formerly known as DB Schenker Rail, will participate in a feasibility study for the joint development and subsequent purchase of at least 100 new hybrid locomotives, the company said in a statement.

   DB Cargo AG, formerly known as DB Schenker Rail, is partnering with Japanese electronics giant Toshiba to develop hybrid locomotives, the company said in a statement.
   The Mainz, Germany-based freight rail operator will participate in a feasibility study for the joint development and subsequent purchase of at least 100 of the new hybrid locomotives, which will be used in regional transport operations. In addition to significantly reducing diesel fuel consumption and maintenance costs, the hybrid locomotives will also increase DB Cargo’s average fleet availability, according to the company.
   DB Cargo said it expects first test vehicles to be available by the end of 2019.
   Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
   Due to the age of DB Cargo’s fleet of switching locomotives—around 40 years old—the company said it is opting to replace older locomotives with hybrid technology in an effort to get ahead of the curve.
   In addition, Toshiba is a member of a consortium lead by the Munich-based locomotive leasing company RailPool, a subsidiary of Oaktree Capital and GIC, that will take over older Class 151 and 155 freight locomotives belonging to DB Cargo and place them into an asset pool with the aim eventually leasing them out on a short-notice basis. The asset pool will contain 200 locomotives and allow DB Cargo to lease locomotive capacities “efficiently in line with changing demand,” the company said.
   “The objective is to promote the development of the supplier market for freight locomotives and components in cooperation with Toshiba,” Jürgen Wilder, chairman of the management board of DB Cargo, said of the agreement. “This will provide DB Cargo with access to sunrise technologies that are not currently available in this form in our home market.
   “In return, we – as the largest rail freight operator in Europe – can pave the way for Toshiba to enter the European market. In other words, this is a classic win-win situation,” he added.