BRAZILIAN freight operator Vale has announced an agreement with Wabtec to purchase 50 new Evolution Series diesel locomotives for the Vitória - Minas Railway (EFVM) and the Carajás Railway.
The order comprises 36 EVOBBW locomotives for EFVM, and 14 ES58ACi locomotives for EFC. Wabtec will manufacture the locomotives at its plant in Contagem, Brazil, with deliveries starting in 2026.
Wabtec says the locomotives will be able to run on biodiesel containing a higher proportion of sustainable fuel, which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The two partners plan to conduct tests to assess the possibility of increasing the percentage in the future to further reduce environmental impact.
"Vale has chosen locomotives that have consolidated performance in the market and are aligned with the company's focus on sustainability, efficiency and safety,” says Carlos Medeiros, vice-president of operations at Vale. “The renewal and modernisation plan for the EFVM and EFC fleet is premised on contributing to the future of decarbonisation in the rail sector.”
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