DB Cargo is making a significant contribution to shifting traffic to the rails, and thus to the achievement of German and European climate protection targets.

• Biofuel HVO: In mid-2022, the climate-friendly biofuel HVO was approved for the entire DB Cargo Germany diesel locomotive fleet. Since then, customers have been able to use transport also on non-electrified lines within Germany in a climate-friendly way. By the end of 2023, 14 gas stations throughout Germany had been reequipped. In 2023, DB Cargo replaced almost 8 million liters of fossil diesel with HVO. In addition to refitting additional gas stations, the focus is on introducing HVO in European companies operating at country level.
  • In 2023, DB Cargo successfully conducted engine test bench trials in companies operating at country level in the UK, Poland and the Netherlands.
  • DB Cargo Nederland and DB Cargo Belgium have been testing biofuel in regular operation since June 2023.
  • Based on the positive test results, it is planned to approve the entire European diesel locomotive fleet for biofuel – a key milestone for the Europe-wide phase-out of diesel.
• Driver assistance system – LEADER 3.0: With LEADER, traction unit drivers are supported via an additional display with driving recommendations for energy-saving runs. With LEADER 3.0, DB Cargo is further reducing its traction energy requirement. Following its successful implementation in Germany, it is now being reviewed to make the system fit for use in other European countries. In addition, the so-called green function for the train run control system of DB InfraGO, which provides traction unit drivers with important details about the operating situation around their own current location, shall be taken into account more closely when calculating the driving recommendations, which will create network capacity in addition to reducing energy needs. This provides traction unit drivers with important details about the operating situation around their own current location. LEADER is installed on more than 650 electric locomotives of DB Cargo in Germany (equivalent to about two-thirds of the e-locomotive fleet). Furthermore, in 2023, the development and integration of the “Driving in time limits” function began on the basis of data from the so-called Green Function for the train run control system of DB Infra­GO. Continuous evaluation of this data aims to reduce train conflicts and unscheduled stops. This also enables network capacity to be created.