Ailit
Ailit provides battery power for existing diesel-electric locomotives through its Superwagon system, which carries swappable battery packs behind the train. The company delivers energy as a service, managing the battery fleet, charging operations, and AilitOS coordination software with no upfront equipment purchase. Ailit's model is designed to reduce annualized energy-related costs for North American railroads from $16B to $10B compared to diesel.
- Energy
- Clean Technology
- Battery Technology
- Mobility & Transportation
- Artificial Intelligence
- Hardware
Funding
Founders
Founder details are not available yet.
Product
Problem
Freight rail in North America remains overwhelmingly dependent on diesel, with 99.9% of locomotives running on it. This reliance exposes railroads to diesel price fluctuations and generates significant pollution, including NOx emissions that contribute to air quality problems and over 100 megatons of CO₂ emitted globally each year.
Solution
Ailit provides a smart battery platform for heavy-haul freight rail that replaces diesel as the primary power source. The system uses swappable battery modules carried on Superwagon units behind existing locomotives, orchestrated by AilitOS to deliver non-stop power. Charging happens off-board at exchange sites, eliminating the need for costly grid buildout or extensive charging infrastructure. Diesel remains available as backup, ensuring zero operational risk. The modular energy infrastructure is designed to upgrade existing fleets, allowing railroads to transition to electric operation without purchasing new locomotives. Ailit supplies and manages the battery fleet, charging operation, and intelligence, delivering energy as a service with no upfront equipment purchase.
Target Audience
Primary customers are Class I freight railroads and heavy-haul rail operators in North America seeking to decarbonize their fleets while controlling fuel costs and maintaining operational continuity.
Features
- Swappable battery packs on Superwagon units that feed the locomotive's electric drive, enabling rapid energy exchange without lengthy charging stops
- AilitOS coordination platform that plans electricity supply around site limits, coordinates battery packs, charging, and train departures
- Off-board charging at exchange sites, allowing packs to recharge separately from the locomotive's schedule
- Hybrid power architecture with diesel backup, providing operational redundancy and eliminating range anxiety
- Retrofit capability for existing diesel-electric locomotives, letting Class I railroads upgrade their current fleet rather than purchasing new electric units
- Energy-as-a-service model where Ailit supplies and manages batteries, charging, and software with no upfront equipment purchase