The Government has told the transport sector that it wants a 35 reduction in emissions from freight transport by 2035. This will be a big challenge for all forms of land transport reliant on diesel to power the vast majority of their fleets. In recent months, while all petroleum products have increased markedly in price, diesel prices have sky-rocketed. This is affecting the cost of transport borne by the end user. There are some in the sector who predict that diesel fuel will only be around for another 10 to 15 years, maybe for even a shorter period. A rail system that does not rely on diesel as its main form of energy is quite a challenge for KiwiRail. Already the operator has dipped its toes in the water by obtaining 16 small battery-electric locomotives for use at workshops and locomotive depots. The first locomotive was placed into service in March this year. Battery-electric traction is not new. In the 1920s New Zealand Railways acquired six small locomotives and built a railcar - all powered by batteries. One was used as a maintenance locomotive for the Otira Tunnel (class E), five were used as workshop shunters (class E~B) and R~M6, known as the Edison car, was built at Addington for commuter passenger services in Canterbury. The New Zealand Co-op Dairy Company purchased a battery-electric shunter from Goodman in the USA for use at the Te Rapa factory. All rail vehicles had limited success; some were quickly abandoned and the E~B class were converted to diesel-electric.
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