Autonomous rail freight, electric trains, and smart logistics are converging as this Southern California company tests battery-powered driverless trains for short-haul cargo
A new era in freight transport is quietly unfolding in Southern California, and it could reshape how goods move across the country. The Los Angeles startup Parallel Systems is already testing autonomous freight trains that promise to reduce truck traffic, lower emissions, and modernize rail logistics.
At a test track just outside Fillmore, California, the company is running battery-electric railcars designed for short-haul freight moves, trips that are currently dominated by diesel trucks. These trains feature built-in electric motors, run on lithium-iron-phosphate batteries, and can operate individually or in platoons of multiple units, moving seamlessly together.
Freight transport in the United States depends heavily on trucks, with about two-thirds of cargo tonnage moving by road. Rail has traditionally been underused for shorter routes because conventional trains are optimized for long-haul, mass-volume trips. Parallel Systems’ founder and chief executive, Matt Soule, explains that the company’s goal is to make rail competitive for short-haul cargo and unlock new logistics opportunities. The startup has already secured regulatory approval from the Federal Railroad Administration to test on shared tracks, giving it an early advantage in the autonomous freight sector.
The prototype railcars are engineered for modularity, capable of hauling standard cargo containers while remaining cost-effective and flexible compared to trucking. Instead of traditional couplers and air hoses, the vehicles rely on sensors and motors to stay linked and synchronized, allowing dynamic formation of trains and rapid detachment when needed. During tests near Fillmore, the units reached speeds of up to forty miles per hour and can travel up to five hundred miles per charge when fully loaded.
Shifting short-haul freight from trucks to autonomous, electric railcars has the potential to ease road congestion, reduce emissions, and expand the use of underutilized rail corridors. Smaller, more frequent shipments become commercially viable, creating new opportunities for supply chain planners and freight operators alike.
Parallel Systems aims to commercialize its technology by 2026, with plans for additional testing in other regions. The company will need to demonstrate cost competitiveness, integrate its trains into existing rail operations, and address regulatory and labor considerations to succeed at scale.
The concept of driverless freight trains is no longer science fiction. It is happening now in California and could expand nationwide, marking the beginning of a quieter, greener, and more efficient era in cargo transport. Follow, share, or comment to keep up with the latest developments in autonomous freight innovation.
