In a groundbreaking stride for heavy‑haul rail and energy storage technology, Australian mining giant Fortescue Metals Group has introduced new battery‑electric locomotives equipped with what are now recognized as the world’s largest mobile land‑based batteries — massive 14.5 megawatt‑hour (MWh) packs installed on each unit.
Built by Progress Rail, a Caterpillar company, the eight‑axle locomotives carry 14.5 MWh battery systems — far exceeding typical mobile battery capacities — and are deployed in Western Australia’s Pilbara region to haul iron ore from mine sites to ports. The record‑setting battery packs are part of Fortescue’s “Real Zero” strategy, aimed at eliminating diesel use and slashing carbon emissions from its operations by the end of the decade.
Each battery‑electric locomotive is designed to recover energy via regenerative braking, capturing up to around 60 % of energy on downhill runs to improve efficiency and extend operational range. The locomotives can also be charged at up to 2.8 MW, enabling faster turnaround and integration with renewable electricity generated at Fortescue’s facilities.
Fortescue says that using these record‑setting battery locomotives could reduce their diesel consumption by roughly one million liters per year, marking a significant reduction in emissions for heavy freight transport in challenging, non‑electrified routes. The deployment of these vehicles highlights a major leap in mobile energy storage capacity and demonstrates that large‑scale battery systems can power even the most demanding industrial applications — from railroads to mining logistics — while supporting broader decarbonization goals.
