U.S. Steel has converted two of its diesel switcher locomotives at its Mon Valley Works plants to lithium-ion battery operation. 

The locomotives were built by Louisiana-headquartered Innovative Rail Technologies (IRT). The conversion was funded in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. U.S .Steel contributed $2.3 million of the total cost.

The locomotives carry steel, coke, scrap metal, iron ore and other production materials within the company’s facilities. They are projected to reduce consumption of diesel fuel by 40,000 gallons annually.

“Mon Valley Works is the first industrial site to deploy this technology to reduce small particulate matter emissions from its locomotive fleet,” said Scott Buckiso, Senior VP and Chief Manufacturing Officer at U.S. Steel.

Source: US Steel