The CEO of Deutsche Bahn announced Deutsche Bahn’s plans to phase out diesel in passenger transport.
(Photo: dpa)
Berlin Deutsche Bahn wants to completely ban and replace diesel fuel from its fleet by 2040. “Our 3,000 diesel vehicles will be gradually running on alternative fuels from this year onwards,” said Deutsche Bahn boss Richard Lutz on Sunday. “In addition to switching to 100 percent green electricity, the gradual abolition of diesel by 2040 is one of our central ecological projects.”
According to its own statements, the group relies on biofuels, which are to be produced from residual and waste materials. In this way, the production does not compete with food production. Existing diesel engines would not have to be converted for this.
According to the information, new vehicles should only be purchased with hydrogen or battery drives in the future. Corresponding tests with battery-powered trains are to follow in the coming months.
The freight subsidiary DB Cargo only announced similar goals in mid-January. In the medium term, all diesel locomotives there are to be replaced by more modern drives.
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The fleet is to be supplemented, among other things, with so-called two-powered locomotives. These can switch between conventional diesel and modern electric drive and can therefore be used both on electrified track sections and on branch lines without overhead lines.
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