Vale Dual-Fuel Engine Tests: Ethanol for Vitória-Minas Railway

Vale and a locomotive manufacturer are testing a **dual-fuel engine** for the Vitória-Minas **Railway**. The project aims to reduce emissions with ethanol by 2027.

Vale Dual-Fuel Engine Tests: Ethanol for Vitória-Minas Railway
October 16, 2025 9:54 pm

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Introduction

Vale and an unnamed locomotive manufacturer are collaborating on laboratory assessments of a dual-fuel engine. The tests, which are scheduled to run until 2027, will evaluate the engine’s performance and emissions to determine the potential of ethanol to replace diesel in the Vitória-Minas Railway fleet.

Dual-Fuel Engine Testing

The partnership between Vale and an unnamed locomotive manufacturer focuses on evaluating a dual-fuel engine. The engine is designed to operate on both diesel and a diesel-ethanol mixture. The laboratory assessments are planned to continue until 2027.

Emission Reduction Goals

This project supports Vale’s broader strategy to reduce carbon emissions from its rail operations. Vale has set a goal to reduce direct and indirect emissions (Scopes 1 and 2) by 33% by 2030. Furthermore, Vale aims to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, in accordance with the Paris Agreement. The company also intends to reduce net emissions from its supply chain (Scope 3) by 15% by 2035.

Vale’s Operational Scope

Vale’s operations include mining and logistics, encompassing approximately 2,000 km of rail track. The company also manages maritime terminals and ten ports worldwide.

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Conclusion

Vale is working with an unnamed locomotive manufacturer to test a dual-fuel engine. The tests will assess engine performance and emissions with the goal of using ethanol in the Vitória-Minas Railway fleet. This aligns with Vale’s emissions reduction targets for 2030 and 2050.

Company Summary

Vale: Vale operates in mining and logistics, managing approximately 2,000 km of rail track, maritime terminals, and ten ports globally.

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