Deutsche Bahn is pushing the switch to biofuels

DB is rapidly converting its diesel fleet to biofuels derived from hydrotreated vegetable oils (HVO). In 2023, DB intends to use 17 million liters of such fuel – twice as much as previously planned. Railway Supply magazine reports this with reference to zdmira.

In 2022 DB allowed to use biofuel for 1000 units of traction rolling stock, including all 800 diesel locomotives of the freight operator DB Cargo. In the next 5 years, the remaining 2000 diesel rolling stock units will be added to them.

TCDD is gradually transitioning to renewable energy

DB will invest 1.7 billion euros by 2027 in developments and activities related to the transition to alternative types of traction instead of diesel. Measures already implemented will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 50,000 tonnes by 2025.

DB’s goal is to achieve climate neutrality by 2040. For the diesel rolling stock in the inventory fleet, a strategy has been chosen to switch to alternative fuels, including HVO biofuel, which is produced from waste and reduces CO2 emissions by 90% compared to diesel fuel. In 2022, DB’s passenger operator DB Regio opened a biofuel station for regional diesel trains in Baden-Württemberg.

When purchasing new rolling stock, DB is guided by new power sources – hydrogen and traction batteries.

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