This year we celebrate 25 years as a leading Independent Supplier of Propulsion Systems – a milestone that reflects not only technological progress, but also the people, partnerships and long-term commitment that have defined the business from the beginning.
The story of Traction is rooted in expertise. ABB has a long history in railway electrification and power electronics, and when the rail industry changed at the turn of the century, the teams in Switzerland recognized an opportunity to build a new kind of traction business: an independent supplier focused entirely on propulsion systems and long-term customer collaboration. That vision laid the foundation for ABB’s Traction offering as we know it today.
From vision to leadership
One of the defining moments came in 2002, when ABB entered a strategic cooperation with Stadler Rail to supply traction technology for a new generation of rail vehicles. Drawing on decades of engineering expertise in power electronics and traction applications, ABB developed and industrialized a new traction converter in record time. In 2003, the first BORDLINE® Traction Converter entered operation – the beginning of a platform that would go on to support fleets around the world.
Over the following 25 years, we’ve expanded into a global business. Today, the division employs more than 2,000 people across 17 production sites on five continents, with Switzerland remaining a key center for engineering, technology development and system expertise.
Throughout that growth, the division has remained focused on advancing traction technology and helping shape the future of sustainable transportation. Innovations introduced over the past two decades – including three-level converter technology, or energy storage systems – have helped raise efficiency, improve reliability and set new benchmarks for the industry.
Today, our traction technology extends far beyond traditional rail applications. The same expertise in power electronics and propulsion now supports mining and construction vehicles, electric buses, and marine vessels. This diversification reflects the growing importance of electrification across transportation industries and ABB’s ability to apply its knowledge across multiple sectors.
Innovation driving sustainable transportation
Sustainability has been central to this work from the start. Long before energy efficiency became a regulatory requirement, ABB engineers were designing systems to reduce energy consumption and extend operational lifecycles. Battery systems developed by ABB now enable catenary-free rail operations in countries across the globe, helping expand electric mobility to routes where overhead infrastructure is not feasible.
Equally important is the long-term reliability of the systems themselves. Traction systems are expected to perform for decades in demanding operating conditions, and ABB continues to modernize and support systems delivered more than 20 years ago. That lifecycle perspective remains fundamental to how we think about sustainability, customer partnership and engineering responsibility.
As we mark this anniversary, we also recognize the people who built ABB’s Traction division and helped shape the technological direction, entrepreneurial spirit and culture of the business in its early years. Their legacy continues through the thousands of colleagues worldwide who continue to develop, manufacture, service and support traction solutions every day.
Looking ahead
The transportation sector is now entering another period of transformation. Electrification, decarbonization, digitalization and energy efficiency are reshaping mobility systems across the world. ABB is well positioned to help lead this transition through continued investment in advanced power electronics, battery technologies, software-enabled systems, services and upgrades, and global engineering capabilities.
For a quarter of a century, Traction has combined deep technical expertise with long-term customer collaboration to help transport industries outrun leaner and cleaner and we can’t wait to keep going.
