Locomotive producer Reloc – Electroputere VFU Craiova has developed the first locomotive in Romania which runs exclusively on biodiesel or vegetable oil, with no added fuel. The engine has the same power and performance as one which runs on diesel, but the polluting emissions are much lower, according to the company.

The company is still testing the locomotive, and the results have been good so far. When the tests come to an end, the producer will implement the technical solution widely.

The diesel engine that was modified is one of the most widely used in Romania. Over 2,000 such locomotives have been produced over the years by Electroputere Craiova. Many of them are still in use and transport freight as well as passengers.

Reloc – Electroputere VFU Craiova is part of the Romanian railway group Grampet. The company has about 600 employees. Grampet took over the locomotive production assets of Electroputere Craiova, one of the country’s biggest industrial groups before 1989, which has been struggling for many years, despite being privatized in 2007.