In 2024, renewable sources represented 10% of all fuel used in locomotives across the Canadian National Railway Company’s fleet.
Seeking to bolster this number further, CN is advancing its hybrid locomotive development program.
CN transports more than 300 million tons of natural resources, manufactured products, and finished goods every year across more than 30,000 kilometres of rail network stretching throughout North America.
The transport titan says the hybrid locomotive development program represents “another important milestone in the company’s commitment to innovative, more efficient, and more sustainable rail operations.”
The program began in 2025 with an initial pilot project deemed “successful,” noting fuel efficiency savings up to 50%, as well as increased horsepower and reduced idling.
Now, CN now has three locomotives being tested, and is working to transform two additional locomotives into hybrid-electric platforms with AC traction technology by the end of 2026.
Through this industry-first approach, CN expects to improve fuel efficiency, reliability, and operational performance, while extending asset life and reducing emissions, according to chief operating officer Patrick Whitehead.
“This milestone represents another important step in CN’s locomotive innovation and modernization journey,” he says.
The firm is focused on “re-powering” existing assets. For example, solid-state batteries replace conventional lead-acid batteries and are paired with a 800HP Tier 4 engine, raising horsepower from just over 3,000 to nearly 4,000.
“By re-powering and enhancing existing yard locomotives, we are being more efficient while supporting service to our customers and more sustainable operations for the long term,” Whitehead commented this month.
“We believe that this hybrid system, if successful, could substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions from our yard operations, while maintaining our commitment to customers and communities across our network,” he stated in 2025.