SBB operates points heating systems at the most critical points on the main lines so that they are always free of ice and snow, even in cold weather. Approximately 60% of the points on the main route network are equipped with a heating system; this amounts to about 7,400 systems.

These 7,400 points heating systems are being fine-tuned for energy efficiency. Optimising the switch-on parameters has massively reduced both energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. In a winter with average climatic conditions, the energy consumption of points heating systems is between 18 and 23 gigawatt hours. The energy costs for all of SBB’s heated points amount to around CHF 2.5 million.

In addition, once the points reach the end of their service life, SBB will convert from gas to electricity wherever possible. Electric points heating systems are more energy-saving and climate friendly. By adopting measures such as these, in an average winter SBB will make annual savings of around seven gigawatt hours and 1,800 tonnes of CO₂. This equates to the annual electricity consumption of 1,750 Swiss households.

Currently at SBB, there are around 1000 diesel-powered railway vehicles in use, such as locomotives, cranes, work platforms, etc. These vehicles are used for maintenance work, on construction sites, for last-mile freight transport, for shunting and for fire-fighting and rescue tasks. We aim to reduce our consumption of fossil diesel by 50% (or 5 million litres of diesel) by 2030 and by 92% by 2040.

To achieve this goal, SBB is relying primarily on electric drive systems for new procurements and the replacement of existing diesel vehicles. Developments in battery technology are increasingly enabling battery electric drive systems, which can be supplemented with a current collector if required. Individual pilot vehicles are being used to gather initial experiences and there is a provisional plan to procure only electric battery-powered shunting locomotives from 2025 onwards.

As a transitional solution, the remaining diesel being used for rail vehicles is to be gradually replaced with second-generation renewable and sustainable fuels (HVO biodiesel). Unlike conventional biodiesel, these fuels do not compete with food production or land use. They also enable a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

The SBB road vehicle fleet comprises around 2,600 vans and passenger cars. Among other things, these vehicles facilitate inspections in remote areas or transport construction workers and materials to construction sites. By 2040, SBB will decarbonise its fleet and equip its vehicles with renewable propulsion systems on a rolling basis. An initial goal is to have 50% of its vehicles running on electricity by 2030.

The current focus is on electrifying the fleet. Therefore, in addition to procuring electric vehicles, SBB is working to build an internal charging infrastructure network. SBB is also carrying out a variety of anchoring measures, such as road shows for the new vehicles, and providing educational videos on e-mobility.

Particular challenges include the effective coordination of the electric vehicle replacement and the construction of charging stations, the emotional nature of the topic of automobiles as a whole, and managing the requirements for features of the vehicles.

The decision not to use fossil fuels is an integral element of the Exemplary Energy and Climate initiative to which SBB has committed itself. Since 2016, SBB has consistently avoided installing systems using fossil fuels, such as heating oil or natural gas, when building new heating systems or replacing existing systems.

Over 160 systems have already been converted to fossil fuel-free alternatives, saving over 2.1 million litres of heating oil or the equivalent of over 7,450 tonnes of CO₂. By way of comparison, that could heat 1,600 detached homes (built in 2005) for a year.