Rail traction: Overview
How wires and diesel engines move the world's trains
How wires and diesel engines move the world's trains What this tile covers Electric trains and metros on overhead wires, and diesel-electric locomotives. Share of use 0.6% share of final energy use (2019)Share of world total final energy consumption (about 435 EJ, calculated: motor systems 13,462 TWh are 53% of electricity, so about 25,400 TWh or 91 EJ, and electricity is about 21% of final energy) that passes through this device or is used by this sector, latest year available. Electricity-based devices use electricity's 21% share of final energy (IEA WEO 2025). Overlaps between devices and sectors are allowed and noted. Rail uses about 2% of transport energy (IEA); transport was 121 of 418 EJ final energy in 2019 (28.9%), giving about 0.58% (calculated). Overlaps engines and motors. Source: The Future of Rail, International Energy Agency.
Key facts
| Chain | Grid electrical → overhead wire → traction motors → kinetic |
Included from the reference tables
- Electric train and metro
- Diesel-electric locomotive
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