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72V LFP Starter Battery ROI & TCO

Compare lead-acid vs drop-in 72V LFP for locomotives. Total cost of ownership and return on investment.

10-Year TCO Savings

$387,496

per locomotive

Payback Period

1 year

per locomotive

Annual Fuel Savings

$27,976

per locomotive

Annual Maintenance Savings

$9,673

per locomotive

Results summary

Switching to a drop-in 72 V LFP starter battery reduces total starter system cost by $387,496 per locomotive over 10 years, pays back in 1 year, and materially improves reliability while eliminating routine battery maintenance.

Key takeaways

  • LFP is a drop-in replacement with no controls integration required.
  • Longer engine-off hold time with LFP reduces idle hours and fuel burn.
  • Lower maintenance (no watering, less wear) and reduced no-start risk.
  • Start reserve prevents stranding; near-zero no-start events at 100% effectiveness.
  • Upfront battery cost is outweighed by lifecycle savings over the analysis period.

Cumulative TCO over time

Per locomotive · Nominal

Drivers of savings