Parallel Systems to build autonomous electric rail vehicles

Parallel Systems to build autonomous electric rail vehicles

Parallel Systems has raised $49.55 million in Series A funds to build autonomous battery-electric rail vehicles that move freight. The company says the funds will be used to build a fleet of rail vehicles, execute testing programs and grow the team, and that it has raised $53.15 million to date, including $3.6 million in seed funds.

Parallel’s patent-pending vehicle architecture combines software and hardware with the historic rail industry to increase the utilization of today’s railroads, Parallel Systems says. The company’s autonomous battery-electric rail vehicles load and transport standard shipping containers as a single or double stacked load. The railcars, which are individually powered, can join together to form “platoons” or split off to multiple destinations while en route. The railroad’s closed network is ideal for the safe and early commercialization of autonomous technology due to limited track access and centralized traffic control.

The company says the rail vehicles are more flexible than traditional trains. Unlike traditional freight trains, Parallel’s platoons do not need to accumulate large quantities of freight to make service economical, which Parallel says enables more responsive service and a wider range of routes. This dramatically reduces the waiting times associated with loading trains that are miles long. The system can support service at a range of distances, from across a city to across the country.

Parallel’s unique architecture will also bypass congested switching yards, which are historically used to manually sort and reassemble freight onto secondary trains. The company says near-continuous flow of containers through terminals results in greater asset utilization, faster delivery times, and higher quality of service.

You May Also Like

EPA certifies Shyft Group’s Blue Arc vans with 200-mile range

The EPA’s certification helps clear the way for Blue Arc vehicles to start production and be sold across the U.S.

blue-arc-ev-solutions-class-3-walk-in-van-EPA-1400

The Shyft Group announced it has completed testing and received certification from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the company’s Blue Arc EV Solutions Class 3, 4 and 5 electric delivery vehicles. EPA test results have revealed the Blue Arc Class 3 all-electric delivery vehicle can achieve up to a 200-mile range based on the EPA cycle test with a 165kwh battery pack.

Lightning eMotors ZEV3 van gets Buy America certification

Lightning eMotors’s ZEV3 passenger van boasts up to 200 miles of range.

Lightning-eMotors-Buy-America
Cummins to provide zero-emissions solutions via Accelera brand

Accelera will concentrate on zero-emissions solutions like hydrogen fuel cells, batteries, e-axles and traction systems.

Accelera-Cummins-1400
2024 Polestar 2 boasts more power, range

Next-generation electric motors and inverters have been fitted to provide more horsepower and torque.

2024-Polestar-2-1400
Tips for diving into EV repair

Delve into the details of one shop owner’s journey diving into EV collision repair work.

EV-REPAIR-tesla-1400

Other Posts

Yadea launches three new eBike models in the U.S.

Yadea debuted three new e-bike models to the U.S. market at this year’s CES in Las Vegas – Innovator, URider S and Trooper 01.

Yadea-e-bike-Trooper-1400
Goodyear debuts commercial EV tire for regional fleets

Goodyear said the RangeMax RSD EV is equipped to handle the higher load capacities of EVs.

Goodyear-EV-1400
Ford to double, triple production of some EVs

Ford plans to produce additional Mustang Mach-E, F-150 Lightning, Maverick and E-Transit vehicles to meet customer demand.

Ford-Lightning-F150-Mustang-Boost-EV-Production-1400
Stellantis to make $155M EV investment in three Indiana plants

Optimized electric drive modules will help platforms achieve driving range up to 500 miles, Stellantis says.

Stellantis-Electrification-EV-1400