Fortescue Zero, the green subsidiary of Australian mining company Fortescue, has introduced the 'Infinity Train,' an innovative, emission-free freight train. This train is designed to autonomously charge itself using gravity.
The Infinity Train utilizes gravitational energy generated on downhill sections to recharge its batteries. During the descent with a load of iron ore, energy is recovered during braking, a process known as recuperation. This recovered energy is then used to recharge the batteries, allowing the train to return to the mine empty without external power sources.
This technology is expected to save approximately 82 million liters of diesel annually, equating to around $80 million USD. It will also eliminate about 235,000 tons of CO2 per year, representing eleven percent of the company's direct emissions in the rail sector. In September 2024, Fortescue Zero announced a partnership with Downer to jointly develop the world's most energy-efficient battery-electric locomotive.