Today Railcare presented its latest innovation the MPV, Multi-Purpose Vehicle. The world’s largest battery-powered maintenance machine for the railway. At the unveiling there was, among others, Sweden’s Minister of Infrastructure Tomas Eneroth, Minister of Employment Eva Nordmark, and Västerbotten’s County Governor Helene Hellmark Knutsson.
“Since Sweden will be the world’s first fossil-free country, Railcare’s initiative is extremely important. We are clear that we will phase out fossil transport throughout the country. Everyone who faces major investment decisions will need to look at carbon footprints and choose fossil-free transport”, says Tomas Eneroth, Minister of Infrastructure.
“This enables the working environment on the railway to be significantly improved and that densely populated areas are not negatively affected by emissions and high noise levels,” says Eva Nordmark, Minister of Employment.
The capacity of the new MPV is equivalent to thirty electric cars. The machine is equipped with self-propelled vacuum pumps, hydraulics, and control cabins enabling the vehicle to be used as a complement to Railcare’s vacuum excavator, snow melter, and function as a towing vehicle for, for example, ballast wagons during track work. One of the biggest advantages of battery operation is reduced noise levels.
“I am proud that we are the first to produce a maintenance machine for the railway that is emission-free and with the same high performance as our other machines. It is a unique product where we at Railcare can contribute to a more sustainable future”, says Daniel Öholm CEO of Railcare Group AB.
The unveiling took place outside Railcare’s head office in Skelleftehamn, Sweden by the Minister of Infrastructure Tomas Eneroth, Minister of Employment Eva Nordmark, and Västerbotten’s County Governor Helene Hellmark Knutsson.
The MPV was developed by Railcare in collaboration with Northvolt and Epiroc, who were also represented at the unveiling. Emad Zand, President Battery Systems at Northvolt, and Erik Svedlund, Head of Marketing at Epiroc talked about electrification on a larger scale within the industry.
”In Northern Sweden, fantastic growth is taking place. The industrial development in electrification is being led and Railcare continues with this leadership with the MPV. This is a machine that can make a difference in both Sweden and the world around us. It is particularly great that this innovation is a result of strong collaboration between different players, says County Governor Helene Hellmark Knutsson.
