In Pennsylvania, Vale and locomotive manufacturer Wabtec Corporation have announced a partnership to study a dual-fuel engine capable of running on both diesel and a diesel-ethanol blend. The studies will initially be conducted in laboratories to validate the concept and evaluate performance, emissions reduction, and ethanol/diesel substitution rate. The tests are expected to run through 2027 to assess future application in the Vitória-Minas Railway (EFVM) fleet.
The agreement to use ethanol is part of a series of joint initiatives with Wabtec to advance Vale’s rail decarbonization program. In January, the companies announced an agreement to purchase 50 locomotives equipped with Evolution Series engines capable of operating with up to a 25% biodiesel blend. In the coming years, Vale and Wabtec will conduct a series of tests aiming to further increase this percentage.
“For the first time, Wabtec will use ethanol as an energy source in a locomotive, a milestone in the global rail industry. We are committed to developing technological solutions that accelerate the transition to more efficient and sustainable transportation,” said Danilo Miyasato, President and Regional Leader of Wabtec Latam.
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