ERIE, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--GE Transportation announced today the results of a head-to-head fuel test between GE’s Evolution^® ES44AC and EMD’s SD70ACe Tier 2 emissions-compliant locomotives. According to an independent research study GE’s locomotives are over 6% more fuel-efficient compared to their EMD counterparts.

“We invested $400 million over eight years to develop the most technologically advanced, fuel-efficient and low-emissions freight locomotive to-date,” said Lorenzo Simonelli, President and CEO of GE Transportation. “Fuel-efficiency delivers a real competitive advantage to our railway customers around the world as they lower their operating costs and minimize their carbon footprint worldwide.”

Added Simonelli: “This test result further validates our investment strategy. We designed the Evolution Series Locomotive as a platform for long-term growth. In accordance with our plan, this locomotive already has become a global standard of excellence -- dynamically adapting to serve a diverse range of markets and environments. Furthermore, our leading-edge engine design and computerized controls technology puts us in strong position for future development in areas such as emissions reduction, fuel savings, alternative fuel use as well as hybrid and passenger locomotives.”

Based on the 6% fuel savings, the equivalent Green House Gas (GHG) reduction from operating GE’s Evolution Locomotive compared to EMD’s SD70ACe would be more than 200 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year, or more than 4,000 tons over the 20-year life of the locomotive. That means that each Evolution Locomotive has an annual positive GHG impact equivalent to removing 35 cars from the road, or planting 55 acres of trees.

Fuel Test Parameters

GE Transportation engaged a nationally recognized independent research laboratory to conduct the Tier 2 locomotive fuel consumption testing. The lab conducted the tests in late January and early February 2009. A Class 1 Railroad supplied two GE and two EMD test locomotives of similar age and road use for the test.

The head-to-head fuel tests were performed using reproducible and repeatable processes. A single batch of fuel was used to test all four locomotives, the same test equipment and personnel were used to measure power and fuel consumption rate, and tests were performed during similar ambient air temperature conditions. In addition, duplicate tests were performed at each of the power-producing notch positions for each locomotive.

The testing results reinforced GE Transportation’s leadership as a global supplier of technologically advanced and fuel-efficient rail transportation solutions worldwide.

The Railroad Advantage

Moving freight by rail compared to trucks reduces fuel use, emissions and highway congestion. According to the Association of American Railroads (AAR):

• Railroads are three or more times more fuel efficient than trucks.
• Trains move one ton of freight an average of 436 miles on each gallon of fuel.
• A single train can take 280 trucks off the highways; and because the average size of a truck is equal to almost four automobiles, that's the same amount of space that 1,100 automobiles would occupy.

About the Evolution Series

GE Transportation has delivered more than 3,200 Evolution Series locomotives to its railway customers operating in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, China, Australia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan and Egypt.

Approximately 17,000 GE locomotives, including the Evolution Series Locomotives, are in use in more than 50 countries around the world.

About GE Transportation

Established more than 100 years ago, GE Transportation, an operational unit of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE), is a global technology leader and supplier to the railroad, marine, drilling, mining and wind industries. GE Transportation provides freight and passenger locomotives, signaling and communications systems, information technology solutions, marine engines, motorized drive systems for mining trucks and drills, high-quality replacement parts and value added services. GE Transportation is headquartered in Erie, Pa., and employs approximately 10,000 employees worldwide. For more information visit www.getransportation.com.

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