The hybrid electric locomotive CRRC Class 181 has successfully completed tests in Bulgaria, this is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

The hybrid electric locomotive CRRC Class 181

Manufactured by the Chinese company CRRC, this mainline electric locomotive underwent compatibility assessments with the infrastructure during a two-day trial in November.

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This is the second of two prototypes acquired by Rail Cargo Hungary (RCH), a subsidiary of the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB).

The tests involved measuring the train’s performance on designated sections and stations. Following the successful phase in Bulgaria, similar trials are planned in Romania.

CRRC designed the Class 181 specifically for operation in Europe. In 2019, Rail Cargo Hungary and CRRC Zhuzhou entered into a contract for the development and delivery of two shunting and two mainline hybrid locomotives with “last mile” battery technology.

This hybrid traction ensures zero CO2 emissions when operating on partially electrified lines.

Upon satisfactory test results, RCH has the option to lease or purchase an additional 20 locomotives of each type from CRRC.

This development opens new prospects for sustainable transportation in Europe, reducing harmful emissions and contributing to the transition to more environmentally friendly technologies.

Photo: Denis Grigorov/flickr.com

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