Fort Hood, in partnership with Dominion Energy, has commissioned the U.S. Army’s first 100% battery-powered locomotive, marking a historic leap in military energy resilience. The converted diesel engine, funded by the State of Texas, can operate for 12 hours on a single charge and is projected to cut carbon emissions by over 308 metric tons annually.
In a ribbon-cutting ceremony on December 15, military leaders and energy executives heralded a new era for Army logistics. Fort Hood, the Army’s largest installation, unveiled a fully electric locomotive at its Rail Operations Center, a tangible symbol of the service’s push toward modernization and sustainability. “We mark a truly historic moment here today,” declared Lt. Gen. Kevin D. Admiral, III Armored Corps and Fort Hood commanding general.
The project is the result of a unique collaboration between the Army, private industry, and state government. Funded through a Texas Military Preparedness Council grant and by Dominion Energy, the initiative converted an existing Army-owned diesel locomotive into a battery-electric switcher using lithium-ion battery technology. Texas Governor Greg Abbott prioritized the venture for approval in January 2024. “This locomotive represents a bold step forward,” said Kevin Mann, director of Federal Energy Solutions at Dominion Energy.
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The operational benefits are substantial. The locomotive, crucial for moving heavy equipment and railcars at the Army’s busiest railhead, can now run continuously for 12 hours and recharge fully in just two-and-a-half hours. It features regenerative braking to recapture energy. Compared to its diesel predecessor, it’s projected to slash carbon emissions by over 308 metric tons each year—equivalent to removing 54 city buses from roads—and save more than $50,000 in annual fuel costs. “These are real, measurable gains that strengthen readiness while conserving our finite resources,” emphasized General Admiral.
Beyond moving freight, the locomotive embodies a new concept in energy resilience. “It’s a mobile energy platform,” explained Kevin Mann. In an emergency, its battery can provide back-up power to the Rail Operations Center and surrounding facilities for 48 hours, ensuring critical deployment missions continue during grid outages. Its power source is also adaptable, capable of drawing from the ERCOT grid, natural gas, solar, wind, or nuclear energy.
The locomotive’s commissioning is a key milestone for Fort Hood’s power projection capability. In Fiscal Year 2025 alone, the installation moved 8,585 rail cars carrying over 243,000 short tons of equipment. This electric switcher will now handle that heavy-load logistics while forming the backbone for a future micro-grid, directly enhancing the installation’s support for global deployment timelines.
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More than just a new piece of equipment, the locomotive stands as a proof of concept for public-private partnership and strategic investment in clean, resilient military infrastructure. It signals the Army’s intent to build a “sustainable, resilient and technologically advanced future,” starting on the rails of Texas.
