Overview of various contracts and agreements on the global locomotive market.
Germany — HVLE, a freight operator, will be the first company to receive the IPE E6, a battery shunting locomotive. It was developed by IPE Railway Vehicles (also known as IPE Locomotori 2000) and exhibited at InnoTrans 2024. With a rated power of 750 kW, the three-axle IPE E6’s is expected to haul trainsets of up to 3,000 t at a maximum speed of 50 km/h.
The E6 battery locomotive from IPE RV. Source: Kirill Balberov/1520today
Finland — VR Group has issued a request for proposals for an undisclosed number of shunting locomotives. The operator is considering the purchase of both diesel locomotives (preferably biodiesel) and hybrid vehicles powered by catenary, hydrogen fuel cells and batteries. The shunters are expected to haul trainsets of up to 2,500 t on 1,524 mm gauge tracks at a maximum speed of around 120 km/h and to be remotely controlled.
Sweden — CZ Loko has delivered two EffiShunter 1000 shunting diesel locomotives to the leasing company AC Finance for use by Railcare. This delivery completes the firm part of a 2002 contract for five locomotives with an option for a further four. According to CZ Loko, around 30 of these locomotives will be operating on the Swedish rail network by the end of 2025.
The Vectron locomotive. Source: Siemens Mobility
Austria — ELL, a leasing company, has taken out a €250 mln loan to purchase Vectron locomotives from Siemens Mobility. In the end of 2023, the companies signed a contract for 60 locomotives with various traction options.
