Australia: Two EMD Joule battery-electric locomotives of the American producer have entered service on the network operated by the mining company Fortescue in the Pilbara region. The eight-axle SD70J-BB locomotives (with a Bo-Bo – Bo-Bo wheel arrangement) are used to haul trains transporting iron ore.
Each locomotive fitted with 14.5 MWh traction batteries provides a continuous tractive effort of 1,100 kN. As stated by Progress Rail, this makes the SD70J-BB the most powerful of the battery-electric locomotives produced so far. Its batteries are recharged in 2.5 hours, while the regenerative braking system allows for recovering from 40 to 60% of energy.
The procurement of this kind of rolling stock corresponds with Fortescue’s goals to reduce CO₂ emissions. The Australian company is reaching decarbonisation by experimenting with both ammonia-hydrogen fuel and battery traction. In 2025, the 44-9W (Dash 9) diesel locomotive, built by GE in 1998, was converted to battery traction by the order of Fortescue.
