On May 20, the CKD6H hybrid locomotive—part of a joint new energy project between CRRC and Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ)—officially rolled off the line at CRRC Ziyang. The locomotive will be shipped to Kazakhstan in June and marks a milestone in delivering green power for Central Asia’s railways under the Belt and Road Initiative.
The launch ceremony was attended by KTZ Vice President Voronbasha, CRRC Vice President Wang Feng, officials from China’s National Railway Administration, local government leaders, and representatives from Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Chinese stakeholders.
Voronbasha praised the project as a strategic step forward in KTZ’s cooperation with CRRC, noting it is the first hybrid traction locomotive for Kazakhstan’s 1,520 mm-gauge railway. He expressed confidence in its certification and future deployment.
Wang Feng highlighted the project as a successful match between Chinese technology and Kazakhstan’s needs, and a vivid example of building a “Green Silk Road.” He encouraged CRRC Ziyang to use this as a starting point to expand its footprint in global markets with reliable, standardised green locomotives.
The CKD6H locomotive is built on CRRC’s standard new energy platform, tailored for Central Asia’s extreme winter conditions. It features a low-emission EU IIIA-compliant diesel engine, a high-capacity lithium iron phosphate battery, intelligent diagnostics, and multi-layered safety systems. It can operate in temperatures as low as –50°C.
With smart energy management, the locomotive reduces fuel use by over 45%, cuts noise by 80%, and lowers annual CO₂ emissions by 240 tonnes—delivering exceptional environmental performance.
After arriving in Kazakhstan, the CKD6H will undergo EAC certification based on China’s new energy locomotive standards—marking the first time a Chinese green locomotive standard has been adopted abroad for certification.
