Deutsche Bahn is investing heavily in reliable infrastructure in the coming years. In order to minimize the impact on the environment and local residents, only low-emission vehicles and construction machinery will be used on inner-city construction sites. They reduce the emission of soot particles by up to 90%.

Refueling with biofuel

Deutsche Bahn relies on alternative fuels and drive systems for its track construction vehicles. The entire rail vehicle fleet of the DB Bahnbau Group has already been approved for refueling with biofuel. DB is currently focusing on HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) as a transitional technology. The increased use of biofuel will significantly reduce the need for conventional diesel in the coming years. The HVO used by DB is produced exclusively from biological residues and waste materials and results in around 90% fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional diesel. This is because CO2 is released during combustion in the engine, which was previously removed from the atmosphere during plant growth.

The track maintenance vehicles fill up with HVO wherever it is available. Deutsche Bahn is gradually converting the refueling infrastructure for this purpose. The two DB Bahnbau Group filling stations in Königsborn and Augsburg have already been converted accordingly.

Innovative drives on the construction site

The hybrid track maintenance vehicle (GAF) is a climate-friendly addition to the track construction fleet of the DB Bahnbau Group and DB InfraGO. In addition to a diesel engine, it also has a battery. When there is less load, the vehicle can run on battery power. If more power is needed, the diesel engine assists. It serves as a power generator to recharge the battery. The vehicle is equipped with a large loading area, an innovative working crane or, alternatively, a powerful lifting platform. This enables it to transport large loads such as rails, ties, switches or other building materials on construction sites. The innovative hybrid drive also enables safe use in tunnel environments. The hybrid GAF can also be refueled with HVO.

In addition to the hybrid GAF, other electric construction machines are also used on construction sites. At Frankfurt Central Station, for example, an electric wheel loader, a hybrid excavator and an all-electric mini excavator excavated a cable tunnel at the station. Deutsche Bahn is testing an all-electric working platform for use on its construction sites during the construction of the S 21 in Berlin.

The electric and hybrid construction machines ensure clean air and eliminate the need for extraction systems and filters in tunnels. They also impress with their quiet operation.