Saft batteries ensure reliable engine starting for diesel-electric freight-hauling locomotives in Brazil

• Saft SRX battery systems are being fitted by GE Transportation to 58 C36 broad-gauge locomotives that will provide freight hauling services for MRS Logistica.
• Low-maintenance, long-life SRX nickel-technology batteries deliver the cranking power to start a 16-cylinder 185.6-liter diesel engine up to 14 times a day.

Paris, April 24th, 2019 – Saft has won a large order from MRS Logistica, a major player in Brazil’s logistics sector, to supply specialized SRX onboard battery systems. They will provide dependable engine starting for a diesel-electric locomotive fleet that operates freight hauling services. The low-maintenance nickel-technology battery systems are being fitted to 58 C36 locomotives manufactured by GE Transportation for MRS Logistica. The 64 V battery systems are based on Saft’s SRX190 FR-PP or SRX1900P cells and provide a capacity of 190 Ah for five hours.

“Brazil’s rail industry is an important growth area for Saft and this major order represents a significant breakthrough in the locomotive sector,” said Milan Sima, General Manager for rail and mobility at Saft. “The track record demonstrated by our SRX battery systems in previous rail projects across the world was the key factor in winning this order for MRS Logistica.”

Brazil is the world’s fifth-largest nation, occupying an area of around 8.5 million square kilometers. The sheer size of the country means that transportation of raw materials and goods is vital for its economy. However, according to estimates, just over 20 percent of Brazil’s total cargo is carried by rail, with 63 percent travelling by road. The federal government has decided that due to the high costs and potential for delays, the country must end its economic reliance on road transportation and make a broad transition towards rail freight. Its goal is to achieve a 100 percent increase in rail capacity over the next four years.

MRS Logistica controls, operates and monitors the Southeastern Federal Railroad Network that interconnects the states of Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais and S?o Paulo. It covers a region that contributes approximately 55 percent of Brazil’s gross domestic product. The transition to rail freight has prompted MRS Logistica to make a major investment in a new fleet and in upgrading its existing broad-gauge locomotives. It regards dependable engine starting as critical for the reliability of its services, which is why it has specified Saft SRX battery systems to provide onboard starting power as well as the backup energy to support critical electrical systems.

As well as its performance, the other benefits of the SRX battery design are its low maintenance requirements, with extended periods between topping-up with water, as well as a long service life. For fast and efficient topping-up, the systems are fitted with a centralized water-filling system. It also offers a high level of reliability that reduces the risk of a locomotive being stranded due to battery failure.

Saft’s SRX batteries are designed and manufactured at Saft’s Bordeaux factory in France.

About Saft

Saft specializes in advanced technology battery solutions for industry, from the design and development to the production, customization and service provision. For 100 years, Saft’s longer-lasting batteries and systems have provided critical safety applications, back-up power and propulsion for our customers. Our innovative, safe and reliable technology delivers high performance on land, at sea, in the air and in space. Saft is powering industry and smarter cities, while providing critical back-up functionality in remote and harsh environments from the Arctic Circle to the Sahara Desert.  Saft is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Total, a leading international oil and gas company and a major player in low-carbon energies.

We energize the world. www.franparkonline.com

For more information on Saft’s 100 years in rail, watch our video.

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Press Contacts

Saft

Karen Hollington, Corporate communications manager

Tel.: +33 1 58 63 16 60, e-mail: karen.hollington@saftbatteries.com

Diana Mejia, Communications manager, Transportation, Telecom & Grid

Tel.: +33 1 58 63 16 92, e-mail: diana.mejia@saftbatteries.com

TopLine Comms

Andrew Bartlett, Tel.: +44 207 580 6502, e-mail: andrew@toplinecomms.com

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Lisa Harlow, Tel.: +1-410-561-8886, e-mail: lisa@clappcommunications.com