Innovative Rail Technologies (IRT) Partners with Forsee Power for U.S. Battery Electric Locomotive Retrofit

Innovative Rail Technologies (IRT), an American company specializing in application-specific, lithium-ion battery-electric propulsion systems for locomotives, has announced a strategic supply agreement with Forsee Power. The partnership will enable IRT to retrofit its electric locomotive systems with Forsee Power's advanced battery systems, marking a significant step towards the electrification of the U.S. rail industry.

Forsee Power, a leading expert in smart battery systems for commercial and industrial electric vehicles, will supply its ZEN PLUS battery systems to IRT for the retrofit of electric locomotives in the U.S. The ZEN PLUS systems, available in five versions from 74 to 84 kWh, offer an excellent energy density of 180 Wh/kg, providing a very long 5,000-cycle life and a competitive Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for fleet operators.

IRT's choice to partner with Forsee Power is driven by the battery manufacturer's leading experience in the commercial and industrial sector and expertise in the railway industry. The two companies are collaborating to retrofit a shunting locomotive for a prominent American customer's private yard in summer 2025. Forsee Power will supply a 2.3MWh ZEN PLUS battery system to provide energy storage to the 100% battery electric locomotive, enabling significantly reduced operating expenses, increased in-service availability, and maximized customer productivity.

The partnership between IRT and Forsee Power is expected to have a significant impact on the market share and competitive landscape of battery technology providers in the rail industry. By expanding its market presence in the U.S. and collaborating with IRT, Forsee Power can attract more customers and secure additional contracts, further boosting its market share. Additionally, the partnership can provide a competitive advantage, as Forsee Power's ZEN PLUS battery systems offer an excellent cycle life and compliance with stringent industry standards, ensuring safety and reliability in demanding locomotive applications.

The adoption of battery electric locomotives by IRT is expected to influence the total cost of ownership (TCO) and operating performance metrics for its customers, compared to traditional diesel locomotives. By reducing fuel consumption, lowering operating expenses, increasing in-service availability, and minimizing the environmental impact, battery electric locomotives can provide substantial savings and improved performance for customers. This is evident from the experiences of IRT's current customers, who have seen that the TCO and operating performance metrics exceed those of their existing fleet of locomotives.

In conclusion, the partnership between IRT and Forsee Power marks a significant step towards the electrification of the U.S. rail industry. By combining IRT's advanced technology lithium-ion adaptive system with Forsee Power's leading experience in the commercial and industrial sector and expertise in the railway industry, the two companies are well-positioned to drive innovation and growth in the market. The strategic supply agreement is expected to have a positive impact on both companies' market share and competitive landscape, as well as provide significant benefits to customers in terms of reduced TCO and improved operating performance metrics.