The advanced domestic electric locomotive "Malachite" has passed the acceptance by a special interdepartmental commission. This means that the issue of launching serial production will be resolved within a few weeks. The first batch, which will be at the disposal of RZD, counts 50 locomotives.

The main difference of "Malachite" from its predecessors is the new asynchronous traction drive with traction converters and traction motors of Russian production. Also a monocoque body is used instead of a body with a main frame. Another noticeable novelty is the software with self-learning function and automatic train driving.

"Today's event can be considered the start of a new milestone in the history of Russian railway engineering. 3ES8 with its appearance opens the basic platform "Malachite", the development of which implies the manufacture of alternating current locomotives and dual-system machines", - said the First Deputy General Director of Ural Locomotives Vitaliy Brexson.

In the long run, a new domestic platform will be created based on "Malachite", within which they will produce alternating current locomotives and dual-system machines.