North Sumatra KAI: Locomotives Use B40 Fuel

PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) or KAI Regional Division I North Sumatra states that all locomotives and generators operating in Division I North Sumatra now use B40 biodiesel as a form of energy innovation. “All diesel engines in KAI Division I North Sumatra have been using B40 biodiesel, a mixture of 60 percent diesel and 40 percent biodiesel. This fuel offers advantages in improving engine performance and producing lower carbon emissions, aligning with the 2060 Net Zero Emission (NZE) target,” said Acting Manager of Public Relations for KAI Division I North Sumatra, Anwar Yuli Prastyo, in Medan on Wednesday, 15 April 2026, as quoted from Antara. Anwar added that B40 biodiesel is also biodegradable by microorganisms, thereby minimising pollution impacts on soil and water around railway tracks. In addition to managing subsidised fuel, KAI Division I North Sumatra recorded the use of 151,188 litres of non-subsidised fuel over the past three months. This allocation of non-subsidised fuel is specifically used for freight transport services as well as operations of work equipment and Rail Track Maintenance Machines (MPJR) to ensure track safety standards are maintained without burdening the public subsidy quota. Anwar stated that the implementation of B40 biodiesel on the railway fleet represents KAI’s commitment to green transportation transformation based on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles. “KAI strives to ensure that every drop of subsidised fuel allocated by the state is used on target and with high effectiveness. KAI is committed to continuing as the backbone of transportation in North Sumatra that is not only efficient and affordable but also environmentally friendly, so that its benefits can be felt sustainably by all levels of society,” he said. He added that the efficiency of fuel use in railways directly impacts the affordability of travel costs for the public. The use of this fuel covers locomotive operations as the driver of train sets as well as generator engines that supply electricity needs for lighting, air conditioning (AC), and charging facilities for passengers during the journey. “Amid increasingly limited fuel conditions, railways present a solution for mobility that remains economical and reliable. With large carrying capacity, railways become efficient transportation so that government subsidies can be directly felt by the public,” said Anwar.