The transportation sector is one of the largest consumers of energy and is the largest source of air pollution. Rail transport is the most energy-efficient form of land transport, and high-speed electric-catenary trains are about four times the efficiency per passenger-kilometer of air transport.

A fuelcell locomotive will have the environmental advantages of a catenary-electric locomotive but higher overall energy efficiency and lower infrastructure costs. Catenary-electric locomotives, when viewed as only one component of a distributed machine that includes an electric powerplant and transmission lines, are the least energy-efficient locomotive type. Diesel-electric locomotives, while collectively worse air polluters than an equivalent number of coal-fired plants powering catenary-electric locomotives, are more energy efficient. Elimination of the high infrastructure costs by fuelcell locomotives is the key to economic viability of electric trains in low-population density regions such as the western USA.

Our fuelcell-locomotive program, a government-industry partnership, will develop and demonstrate prototype locomotives leading to commercial locomotives that will:

• Reduce air pollution in urban and interurban rail applications, including yard-switching associated with seaports

• Increase energy security of the rail transport system by using a fuel independent of imported oil

• Reduce atmospheric greenhouse-gas emissions

• Serve as a mobile backup power source (“power-to-grid”) for critical infrastructure on military bases and for civilian disaster relief efforts

These objectives address issues affecting the rail industry and transportation sector as a whole. As highway traffic continues to rise, American cities and interurban traffic corridors are suffering increasing levels of air pollution due to engine emissions from automobiles, trucks, and trains. Energy security and its effect on cost and supply are critical contemporary issues for the transportation industry. About 97% of the energy for the transport sector is based on oil, and more than 60% is imported. World oil reserves are diminishing, demand is increasing, and political instability threatens supply disruptions. A consensus has been reached that the burning of fossil fuels and consequent atmospheric release of carbon dioxide is a significant factor in global climate change. The greenhouse-gas effect is the likely cause of the melting of the polar ice caps and the increased severity of storms.

Furthermore, a need exists for large vehicles that serve, in addition to conveyance, as mobile backup power sources for critical infrastructure. Power-to-grid applications include military bases and civilian disaster-relief operations. Indeed, following Hurricane Katrina, a makeshift jail in New Orleans was powered by an Amtrak diesel-electric locomotive.