GE Unveils the First Tier 4 Heavy-Haul Locomotive

Press release:

24 August 2012

GE Unveils the First Tier 4 Heavy-Haul Locomotive

 

· Cleanest, smartest and most fuel-efficient diesel-electric Evolution® Series Locomotive for heavy-haul freight will meet EPA Tier 4 emission requirements

· Breakthrough diesel engine technology to reduce key emissions by more than 70 percent

· Enables freight railroads to save more than $1.5 billion in infrastructure and operating costs

· Locomotives designed and developed in partnership with GE’s U.S. rail customers, and manufactured domestically

· Investment of $600 million over eight years to hone cutting-edge technology

ERIE, Pa.--24 August 2012-- GE Transportation (NYSE: GE) today unveiled the prototype for its next Evolution® Series Locomotive that will decrease constituent emissions by more than 70 percent and save railroad customers more than $1.5 billion in infrastructure and operational costs¹. GE expects that the locomotive will be the first in the industry to meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) stringent “Tier 4” emission standards, which call for the single-largest emission reduction in the tiered program’s timeline. The new locomotive will meet this standard with technological advancements versus costly alternatives, which require special exhaust additives and infrastructure investments.

This new locomotive is part of GE’s ecomagination-qualified Evolution SeriesLocomotive family – the best-selling global locomotive platform. Today, more than 5,000 Evolution Series Locomotives operate in the U.S. and globally, allowing railroads to move one ton of freight more than 480 miles on a single gallon of fuel. This new engine technology is the result of an initial six-year, $400 million investment, followed by a two-year, $200 million investment to hone the research, design and engineering to meet Tier 4 standards.

Lorenzo Simonelli, President and CEO of GE Transportation said, “GE Transportation continues to challenge what is possible and reshape the future of the rail industry in the United States. Thanks to the tireless efforts of our employees and the collaboration with our customers, we are the first in the industry to offer a solution that meets the next phase of the EPA’s emissions standards. Our technology is good for our customers and better for the environment.”

Tom Corbett, Governor of Pennsylvania said, "This is another example of the innovation and ingenuity of the Erie workforce and GE. My administration firmly believes we can be successful in business while also safeguarding our environment and this advancement does exactly that. Congratulations to the GE Transportation team on this milestone achievement."

The EPA has introduced “Tier 4” industry standards that require reduction of locomotive emissions to curb the potential environmental effects typically associated with these emissions. Effective in 2015, the EPA will require manufacturers of locomotive diesel engines to lower particulate emissions 70 percent and NOx 76 percent, compared to engines first introduced in 2005. Alternative solutions would likely rely on the use of a Urea exhaust additive to meet these Tier 4 emission standards, requiring railroads to build an extensive network of fueling stations across North America. As a result of GE’s diesel engine combustion research and innovative technology, GE’s Evolution Series Locomotive will not require the additive and railroad customers will not have to incur the costs related to rail infrastructure upgrades.

U.S. Transportation Deputy Secretary John Porcari said, “Rail manufacturing is a critical part of President Obama’s commitment to revitalizing American manufacturing, creating jobs, and building a safer, faster, and more efficient national transportation systems. Since the beginning of 2011, GE Transportation has announced more than 2,000 new U.S. jobs, which is great news for workers and the local economy. Rail manufacturing companies, including GE, are helping to build better, safer transportation networks and a stronger economic foundation for years to come.”

Powered by Collaboration

This new locomotive technology is a prime example of how GE works together with its customers to develop solutions that help make the world work better. GE gathered inputs from its North American Class I railroad customers concerning safety, reliability, fuel usage and operational needs, and then partnered with its operations and maintenance teams to test the new design’s real-world functionality. These sessions generated invaluable feedback around accessibility of parts, the layout and design, and above all safety.

In addition, GE applied the breadth and depth of technical expertise from its Global Research Center and other GE businesses to develop the Evolution Series engine, enhancing key engine systems and components, as well as other support systems. These changes will enhance the locomotive’s pulling capability, performance, emission reductions and fuel efficiency.

American Innovation at Work

GE Transportation plans to build its Tier 4 Evolution Series Locomotives at one or both of its U.S. locomotive manufacturing sites in Erie, PA and Fort Worth, TX. GE will produce its Tier 4 compliant diesel engines at its manufacturing plant in Grove City, PA. GE Transportation currently has approximately 6,350 employees in Northwestern Pennsylvania, including 5,500 at its Erie site and 850 at its Grove City site.

About GE

GE (NYSE: GE) works on things that matter. The best people and the best technologies taking on the toughest challenges. Finding solutions in energy, health and home, transportation and finance. Building, powering, moving and curing the world. Not just imagining. Doing. GE works. For more information, visit the company's website at www.ge.com.

About GE Transportation

GE Transportation, a unit of GE (NYSE: GE), solves the world’s toughest transportation challenges. GE Transportation builds equipment that moves the rail, mining and marine industries. Our fuel-efficient and lower-emissions freight and passenger locomotives, diesel engines for rail, marine and stationary power applications, signaling and software solutions, drive systems for mining trucks, underground mining equipment, energy storage systems, and value-added services help customers grow. GE Transportation has approximately 12,000 employees worldwide. For more information visit the company's website at www.getransportation.com.

¹ US EPA Publication EPA420-R-08-001a, May 2008