26 October 2025 – Alta Battery Technology is delighted to be supporting Aurizon's new agreement with Alcoa to conduct a Battery Electric Tender (BET) trial on Alcoa's Kwinana to Pinjarra route in Western Australia. This milestone is a significant step forward in demonstrating how existing rail assets can be transformed into lower-emission hybrid systems without premature replacement.
The Battery Electric Tender is a battery-powered wagon coupled with a modified locomotive, designed to operate as a hybrid system using both diesel and battery-electric power sources. The technology captures regenerative energy during braking and downhill travel, with a static DC charging station enabling battery recharging between operations.
Alta's role in this project centres on our advanced DC-to-DC converter technology, specifically designed for high-voltage systems. The innovation enables the integration of electric power sources with existing diesel assets, making electrification commercially viable for heavy industries working to meet net-zero commitments.
The collaboration builds on Aurizon's March 2024 announcement of funding support from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) for the BET project, which aims to reduce emissions by integrating battery-electric technology into heavy haul rail operations. Rail transport emissions from Australia's heavy haul freight industry account for more than 4 Mt of CO2e annually, with the bulk of these emissions serving Australia's resource sector.
Work on the wagon for the BET has now been completed, with detailed design underway for the locomotive modifications, battery container, and charging infrastructure. The BET is expected to be operational in the second half of 2026.
“For Alta, this trial demonstrates the practical application of our technology in real-world operating conditions,” said Managing Director Roy Zou.
“As a proudly Australian battery technology innovator, we've designed our solutions to address a critical challenge facing local industry – how to decarbonise operations while managing capital expenditure and maintaining productivity.
“The Kwinana to Pinjarra route provides an ideal testing environment for the BET technology, with operating conditions that will validate the system's performance across the diverse requirements of Australia's freight networks.”
The successful demonstration could have broader implications for decarbonisation across multiple industries that rely on heavy machinery and long-distance haulage.
“Alta looks forward to supporting Aurizon and Alcoa as this project progresses, working collaboratively to deliver innovative solutions that prove electrification can be both environmentally responsible and commercially sound,” concludes Roy.
