The Green Goat's hybrid design allows for a 30+% fuel reduction and an over all lower capital cost. According to a published report* the hybrid powertain gives the greatest fuel economy over any new technologies for passenger vehicles.

The switcher will also reduce 90% of the pollution of the latest model switchers while running on diesel fuel, eliminating all infrastructure concerns. A natural gas version of the locomotive will also be available that will result in a 95% reduction of pollutants.

The Green Goat incorporates similar aspects to that of the new Toyota Prius hybrid car. An environmentally and economically friendly automobile which runs using the combination of a gasoline engine with an advanced electric motor. The Prius meets the strictest current exhaust emissions standard, California's super ultra low emission vehicle (SULEV) standard. The SULEV is 85 per cent cleaner than California's ultra low emission vehicle (ULEV) standard. The Prius will cut down drastically on your gas bill while being safer for the environment .

RailPower has developed the technology that allows the hybrid concept to be applied to railroads. The Green Goat uses a clean, efficient microturbine in conjunction with batteries to produce 2000hp.

The Green Goats will be remanufactured from existing locomotives and will have a low long hood that results in a high visibility design, which is demanded in switching applications. The unit will also be significantly quieter than other diesel locomotives, due to the nature of the microturbine engine.

The first locomotive to be remanufatured into the Green Goat demonstrator is a EMD GP9(with GP18 updates).

It is anticipated that the Green Goat will enter commercial trials during the third quarter with operating railroads. RailPower is anticipating that these trials will lead to active acquisition negotiations by year end.