To ensure a powerful yet climate-friendly drive for shunting locomotives, Deutsche Bahn relies on modern hybrid technology. In addition to a diesel engine, the locomotives are equipped with a battery. When under less load, they can run entirely on electricity. When more power is required, the diesel engine assists and simultaneously acts as a generator to recharge the battery. Especially in shunting operations with frequent starts and stops, the hybrid drive offers significant advantages. The environmentally friendly battery drive can often be used, while the diesel engine only comes into play when higher energy demand arises. 

The image shows a side view with marked components: drive, brake, battery, and generator with 350 kilowatts of power. The motor and the two bogies are visible at the bottom. Crash buffers are located at both ends. The hybrid locomotive combines battery and diesel operation, enabling lower-emission shunting.

Design of the Prima H3 shunting locomotive

H3 Hybrid shunting locomotive in practical testing 

In a pilot project, DB aims to achieve technical and economic readiness for series production of hybrid locomotives. For this purpose, the company is deploying the climate-friendly Prima H3 Hybrid Locomotive from Alstom. The first units are in use at DB Regio Bayern in Nuremberg and Munich. DB Long-Distance’s fleet also includes new Prima H3 shunting locomotives at the maintenance depots in Basel and Berlin-Rummelsburg.

In practical use, H3 hybrid locomotives consume only about half the fuel compared to conventional shunting locomotives. They are also quieter than their predecessors, since the diesel engine runs only when the batteries need recharging. DB Fernverkehr plans to replace all diesel-powered shunting locomotives with particularly quiet and climate-friendly hybrid shunting locomotives.

Sustainable shunting for freight 

DB Cargo’s shunting fleet is also becoming more modern and climate-friendly thanks to new hybrid locomotives from Vossloh Locomotives and Toshiba. Both locomotive types are equipped with a powerful, innovative battery system that can also be charged via an external renewable power supply. This makes climate-friendly shunting possible even for heavy loads and at low speeds. In a first step, DB Cargo intends to deploy 150 climate-friendly hybrid shunting locomotives. The first vehicles are scheduled to enter service starting in 2027.