Dragonfly Energy Holdings Corp., maker of Battle Born Batteries, announced a new distribution partnership with National Railway Supply (NRS), one of the rail industry’s most established suppliers of signaling and communications equipment.
The partnership marks the first time NRS will offer a lithium battery line, expanding access to Dragonfly Energy’s solutions across the North American rail sector.
The American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) has officially passed its first lithium battery Manual Part, “Recommended Instructions for Lithium Batteries in Railroad Applications (09.06.02)”, through full ballot approval. Dragonfly Energy played a meaningful role over multiple years as a participating member of AREMA Committee 38, Subcommittee 3 (Energy Systems). The new standard provides long-awaited engineering guidance for the deployment of lithium batteries in railroad communications and signaling applications, bringing lithium onto formal footing alongside legacy lead-acid and nickel-cadmium technologies.
“With the new AREMA lithium standard now established, this is an ideal moment for the industry to evaluate advanced energy storage technologies,” said Nick Rintye, vice president of sales and marketing at National Railway Supply. “Dragonfly Energy’s Battle Born lithium batteries stood out for their proven performance, rugged design, and American manufacturing footprint — qualities that align directly with the expectations of NRS and our customers. We’re pleased to bring these solutions into our portfolio as rail operators look for safer, lower-maintenance and more modern power systems. Dragonfly is a partner we trust as we continue to bring innovative solutions into the rail and rail transit industry.”
Rail power systems have historically relied on legacy chemistries such as lead-acid and nickel-cadmium, which require regular maintenance and carry limitations related to weight, environmental impact, and performance in extreme temperatures. As the industry looks for more efficient and reliable alternatives, lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO₄) technology provides a modern, field-proven solution for mission-critical environments. Dragonfly Energy’s LiFePO₄ systems offer thermal stability, long cycle life, consistent voltage delivery, cold-weather resilience through integrated heating and minimal maintenance — making them ideal for remote trackside installations, solar-powered systems, and critical communications infrastructure. With AREMA’s new lithium standard in place, railroad engineering teams now have a clear framework to evaluate and deploy these advantages with reduced adoption risk.
“Our work within AREMA and the passing of this lithium Manual Part represent a major inflection point for the industry,” said Wade Seaburg, chief commercial officer of Dragonfly Energy. “Over the last few years, we’ve helped shape the conversations and technical guidance that now make lithium a fully recognized option for rail applications. Partnering with National Railway Supply accelerates our ability to deliver these solutions to the field.”
As part of the new partnership, NRS will immediately begin distributing Dragonfly Energy’s Battle Born Batteries line to its nationwide customer base and will feature these products at the upcoming AREMA Communication Signals and Information Technology Symposium in March 2026. Dragonfly Energy CEO Dr. Denis Phares will present a technical session at the conference titled “LiFePO₄ Battery Technology: Characteristics, Applications, and Standards Development,” highlighting how recent advances and formal standardization open the door for near-term field deployment and long-term modernization of rail backup systems.
“Rail operations demand safety, reliability, and long-term durability, and our LiFePO₄ technology and products are uniquely positioned to support those requirements,” said Denis Phares, CEO of Dragonfly Energy. “With AREMA’s new lithium standard now in place, the industry has a clear path to evaluating modern energy storage solutions. We see this as a pivotal moment for rail modernization, and we believe Dragonfly Energy is well prepared to support operators as they transition to safer, more efficient and lower-maintenance power systems.”
For more information about Dragonfly Energy and its innovative energy solutions, visit DragonflyEnergy.com.
