Dayton-Phoenix validates VOLT hybrid locomotive solution for rail operations
Dayton-Phoenix Group (DPG) has announced the successful completion of testing for VOLT, its hybrid locomotive power solution designed to reduce fuel consumption and emissions across rail operations, including industrial and mine site rail systems, all while preserving the value and performance of existing diesel locomotives.
VOLT is engineered to integrate directly with conventional diesel-electric locomotives, supplying supplemental electric power during high-load events such as acceleration, grade climbing and heavy consist movement. Testing confirmed stable operation, predictable load sharing and measurable reductions in diesel engine loading – demonstrating clear benefits for rail-intensive mining environments where fuel efficiency, reliability and uptime are critical, DPG says.
The most recent testing was conducted at MxV’s facility in Colorado, USA, where the subsidiary of the Association of American Railroads conducts railroad equipment testing and training for member railroads.
“Many mining operations rely on rail as a backbone of material movement — whether that’s captive mine railroads or mine-to-port operations,” Jacob Dahle, Head of Sustainability and Growth at DPG, said. “VOLT was developed specifically for these real-world rail applications, offering mines and other rail operations a way to reduce fuel burn and emissions without replacing locomotives or disrupting operations.”
Mine rail operations face unique challenges: heavy loads, frequent starts and stops, steep grades, remote locations and long asset life expectations. Unlike new-build battery-electric locomotives that require large capital investments and infrastructure changes, VOLT, DPG says, provides a retrofit-ready hybrid solution that works with locomotives as they exist today.
Testing validated VOLT’s ability to:
- Reduce diesel fuel consumption during high-load duty cycles;
- Lower greenhouse gas emissions as a direct by-product of improved efficiency;
- Support demanding mine-site rail profiles without compromising reliability; and
- Extend the useful life of existing locomotive assets.
These capabilities are especially relevant for mining operators seeking practical decarbonisation strategies that align with production targets and capital stewardship, DPG noted.
“For mining operators, success is measured in tonnes moved, uptime maintained and dollars saved,” John Gordon, Chief Commercial Officer of DPG added. “VOLT aligns emissions reduction with those priorities, making sustainability a performance advantage rather than a tradeoff.”
With testing successfully completed, DPG is progressing discussions with rail operators, mining operators and industrial rail users regarding pilot deployments and site-specific evaluations for mine rail applications, it says.
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