While challenging, the transition to net-zero propulsion presents an excellent opportunity to modernize both passenger and freight rail transportation in the United States. The most common and cost-effective decarbonization technology is also the most common propulsion technology for trains: overhead traction power.
Across the world, the overwhelming majority of rail passengers—not to mention a growing majority of rail freight—travel on electrified infrastructure. This makes simple economic sense: electric trains are over 35% cheaper to operate than diesel trains [1], and in a Dutch benchmarking study they were found to have half the lifecycle cost of diesel trains in passenger service [2]. Perhaps even more importantly, electrification also offers strong operational and environmental benefits, as we explain in this document.
Most global railways are electrified—that is, equipped with either an overhead or trackside continuous power supply. Japan and most of Europe got an early start, electrifying their commuter lines by the early 20th century, followed by their main intercity routes from the 1950s onward. Electrification isn’t limited to passenger service, however: several countries which run American-style heavy freight trains have largely electrified their networks. Both the Russian and Ukrainian rail networks are about 50% electrified, with the most important passenger and freight lines wired. In the 21st century, China and India [3] have rapidly wired their tracks, with both countries running electrically-powered freight trains with double stacked containers under wires [4].