CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive Co., Ltd. (CRRC ZELC) – a Chinese company – is developing the first electro-hybrid locomotives optimised for freight transport in Europe on behalf of Rail Cargo Hungaria (RCH). The contract was signed by the parties in the presence of László Mosóczi, State Secretary for Transport Policy and Duan Jielong, Chinese Ambassador to Hungary.
The subsidiary of the world’s biggest rolling stock manufacturer company undertook the development of electro-hybrid shunters and high-power locomotives with zero emission for freight transport according to the provided parameters by Rail Cargo Hungaria. Within 36 months the production of two vehicles from both types will be finished and the relevant Hungarian and international licences will be obtained as well. The Chinese party bears all the development costs.
According to the agreement, Rail Cargo Hungaria will rent the vehicles for 4 years and the lease contract will incorporate the expenses of the complete maintenance work as well. If the performance of the locomotives will be as expected, RCH has the option to further rent or even buy them and an order – on advantageous terms – can be placed for additional 20-20 vehicles from both types.
With the shunters RCH will fulfil tasks in Hungary, and the locomotives will be used outside of Hungary in Croatia, Serbia, Romania, Macedonia, Greece and Bulgaria. The high-power hybrid electric locomotives and shunters will be equipped with a so called super last mile battery pack, which will enable traffic on routes without contact wires. In these cases, the necessary energy will come from batteries – this solution will be needed for example in most cases of railway sidings.
Dr. Imre Kovács, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Rail Cargo Hungaria: “Compared to the current modern solutions, the new locomotive types of CRRC ZELC can be used more effectively and flexibly. Its advantages are visible in single wagon transports, as they provide cheap and clean solutions on connecting railways without contact wires as well.“
