Midwest Terminals USA EMD GP9 Locomotive: Diesel to Battery Electric Conversion

Medha’s journey toward decarbonization has been a natural progression, building upon our established, advanced suite of electric propulsion systems covering the full range from shunting to heavy-haul locomotives. With proven expertise in both electric and diesel-electric locomotives, the shift to battery-electric technology required only a change in power source — the battery — while all other core components remained a constant.

Medha’s purpose-built ZEBHRA Converters for zero-emission rolling stock, featuring inverters and Traction Buck Boost Converters, enable seamless integration of batteries as the new power source. Battery chemistry is carefully selected to balance energy and power density, tailored to specific operational demands: freight locomotives prioritize energy density for extended range, while passenger locomotives require power density for frequent start-stop operations.

In July 2023, the conversion of the EMD GP9 locomotive marked a key milestone in this journey. Since then, the battery-electric locomotive has exceeded expectations in operational efficiency, charging performance, driver comfort, and emissions elimination, setting a new standard in sustainable rail innovation.