Technology On Board Locomotives Can Achieve Up To 10% Greater Fuel Efficiency
ERIE, Pa. (May 11, 2006) -- In the face of rising fuel costs, engineers of the General Electric Corporation (NYSE: GE) are introducing technologies that help rail customers around the world dramatically improve locomotive fuel efficiency, while also reducing the amount of emissions, including NOx, CO2 and Particulate Matter.
With technologies like Auto Engine Stop Start, Consist Manager and Smart Burn, locomotives more efficiently consume fuel and help customers reduce their 2nd largest operating expense, while enhancing their ongoing environmental initiatives.
"As part of GE's Ecomagination initiative, we are investing heavily in new technologies that will help customers meet their most pressing environmental challenges and impact the bottom line," said John Dineen, GE -- Transportation CEO. "The upside is that we can offer these fuel savings that help the environment without sacrificing performance or reliability."
By incorporating the latest technologies to reduce idle time and optimize both locomotive and consist power, customers can reduce by 10% the nearly 350,000 gallons of fuel that a typical locomotive burns each year.
Auto Engine Stop Start monitors the ambient temperature, battery voltage and brake system air pressure to stop and start a locomotive, reducing unnecessary engine idling.
Consist Manager, the first technology of its kind, optimizes fuel consumption across a locomotive consist without a loss of horsepower. In actual service, GE's Consist Manager has delivered fuel savings of up to 2%.
AccuFuel uses ultrasound to measure locomotive fuel levels, to more accurately schedule fueling stops and to capitalize on the most economical fuel prices available.
Smart Burn uses GPS technology to modify engine performance in designated areas to achieve ultra-low emissions requirements.
More than 8,000 of these and other fuel savings solutions are helping locomotives operate more efficiently around the world.
About GE Infrastructure - Rail
GE Infrastructure - Rail, a unit of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE), delivers technology solutions for the rail, marine, mining and energy industries. Products and services include freight and passenger locomotives, diesel engines for marine and stationary power applications and motorized systems for mining trucks and drills.
Contact: Shaunda Parks, (816) 650-1639
GE Transportation
Chris Banocy