Cando Rail & Terminals unveils Canada’s first battery-electric switcher locomotive. This is a key step towards sustainable rail operation and adds to the overall industrial decarbonization of the country.
This battery-powered train is retrofitted from a traditional diesel unit into a completely electric vehicle and produces no emissions. Designed specifically for industrial and closed-loop switching applications, the system reduces emissions, noise levels, and energy costs and contributes to Canada’s net-zero climate goals.
Government of Alberta support, delivered via Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA), was key to making this project a reality. The program represents a transformative step for the rail industry by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enabling industrial shippers that rely on rail to meet their sustainability commitments with greater efficiency.
“This project reflects our continued commitment to safety, innovation, and environmental leadership,” said Paul Duncan, Chief Operating Officer for Cando. “By investing in battery-powered technology, we will be reducing emissions in our operations while creating a scalable solution for cold weather climates that can transform industrial rail switching operations across our network.”
The initiative for battery-powered train, named Li-Ion 2025, has already secured strong backing from ERA, industry stakeholders, and customers. Its first field trials were successfully executed in Winnipeg earlier this year. Following public unveiling, the locomotive will then be put through operational testing in an active switching environment at the terminal, with commercialization plans to be finalized in early 2026.
