07:41 AM EDT, 04/05/2024 (MT Newswires) -- CN Rail (CNR.TO) -- which will issue first-quarter 2024 financial and operating results after market close on April 23, 2024 -- announced Friday that it has purchased its first hybrid diesel-battery electric mainline locomotive from Progress Rail, a Caterpillar Company, as part of its decarbonization plans. The EMD will be tested to understand the potential impact and opportunity related to retrofitting a larger portion of the company's fleet. CN is collaborating on this initiative with the Province of British Columbia which awarded $3.2 million to it under the Clean BC Go Electric Commercial Vehicle Pilots Program.

The plug-in hybrid mainline locomotive, a first of its kind in North America, will be evaluated on CN's mainline in British Columbia, starting in Prince George and the northern part of the province, under varying operational and weather conditions. As different alternative propulsion solutions will require batteries - including hybrid, battery-electric, and hydrogen fuel cell locomotives - CN expects this initiative will contribute to further develop this key technology, while immediately reducing emissions.

According to a statement, CN is the most fuel-efficient railway in North America, using approximately 15% less locomotive fuel per gross ton mile than the industry average.