Decarbonizing Freight by 2030
Entrepreneur Daphna Langer has set an ambitious target: eliminate diesel emissions from U.S. freight railroads within a decade. Her startup, Voltify, proposes replacing diesel with rechargeable battery systems known as VoltCars. These sodium-ion batteries on wheels can connect directly to existing locomotives. The potential benefits are significant—according to a study in Nature Energy, battery-powered freight trains could save operators $94 billion over 20 years, while the International Energy Agency says rail must cut emissions 5% annually to stay on track for net-zero goals.
A $10 Billion Opportunity
The U.S. freight rail industry, worth $80 billion annually, spends over $11 billion a year on diesel fuel. Union Pacific alone reported nearly $2.5 billion in fuel costs in 2024. Langer and co-founder Alon Kessel, who previously helped build solar firm Doral, saw an opening: if just six major freight companies—known as Class 1 railroads—converted, the entire market could change. Voltify projects its business could generate as much as $10 billion per year if widely adopted.
Overcoming Industry Resistance
Rail operators initially expressed skepticism, citing concerns about reliability and charging downtime. “They’ve been blunt—energy must always be available,” Langer said. To address this, Voltify developed an algorithm to predict energy demands on every route and began constructing its first solar-powered microgrid, scheduled for completion this year. The company envisions a network of 1,400 such microgrids across North America, providing reliable renewable power for trains.
Rivals and Market Potential
Voltify is not alone in pursuing battery freight solutions. Wabtec launched its FLXdrive locomotive in 2019, capable of cutting diesel use by 30%. Siemens Mobility is also advancing battery-powered passenger trains, including its Charger B+AC model, with early sales to New York’s MTA. While challenges remain—chiefly charging times, infrastructure costs, and limited range—the momentum is growing. Siemens executives note the “substantial” potential for battery-powered rail as operators seek alternatives for non-electrified routes.
From Pilots to Scale
Voltify is in active discussions with three major North American railroads and plans a pilot with a Class 1 operator in early 2026, with the expectation of scaling to commercial deployment. The company believes converting just six corporations could redefine the sector’s carbon footprint. For an industry with nearly 140,000 miles of track, most of it diesel-powered, Voltify’s strategy represents both a climate solution and a multi-billion-dollar business opportunity.
