Indian Railways (IR) has introduced the EF-9K, the most powerful single-section freight electric locomotive in India. Manufactured by Siemens Mobility at the Dahod Locomotive Factory in Gujarat, it is the first of 1,200 locomotives with a power output of 9,000 HP, set to be delivered over the next 11 years.
Developed in technological partnership with Siemens Mobility, the high-power EF-9K locomotives are designed to haul 4,500-ton trains at speeds of up to 120 km/h on India’s Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFC). The new locomotives will primarily operate in the western and eastern regions of the DFC. They feature regenerative braking systems and real-time condition monitoring for enhanced efficiency and reliability.
The localization level of EF-9K production in India stands at 89%. The Dahod factory provides the necessary infrastructure for manufacturing and long-term maintenance of the locomotives. Siemens will be responsible for maintaining the fleet for 35 years, along with training personnel for both production and servicing.
The rollout of these high-power locomotives comes as India nears 100% railway electrification, a key priority for Indian Railways in recent years. Over the past five years, the share of electrified railway routes has nearly doubled, rising from 50% to 95%. The goal is to achieve full electrification of India’s railway network by March 31.
