Dragonfly Energy Partners with NRS, AREMA Approves First Lithium Battery Standard

Dragonfly Energy

RENO, Nev. - Dragonfly Energy Holdings Corp. announced a distribution partnership with National Railway Supply LLC (NRS), a supplier of signaling and communications equipment. AREMA passed its first lithium battery Manual Part through ballot approval.

The distribution partnership marks the first time NRS will offer a lithium battery line, according to the release. AREMA’s officially approved its Manual Part, “Recommended Instructions for Lithium Batteries in Railroad Applications (09.06.02),” via full ballot approval. Within AREMA Committee 38, Subcommittee 3 (Energy Systems), Dragonfly Energy helped work to make this happen.

“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.”

NRS will distribute Dragonfly Energy’s Battle Born Batteries line nationwide as part of the partnership. Additionally, it will feature these products at AREMA’s Communication, Signals, and Information Technology Symposium held in March 2026. At the symposium, Dragonfly Energy CEO Dr. Denis Phares will present a technical session titled “LiFePO₄ Battery Technology: Characteristics, Applications, and Standards Development,” in which he will highlight advances and standardization have “opened the door for near-term field deployment and long-term modernization of rail backup systems.”

The standard set by AREMA provides engineering guidance for lithium battery deployment on railroad communications and signaling applications and has been long-awaited. Previously, power systems on rail relied on lead-acid and nickel cadmium, both of which require regular maintenance and carry weight, environmental, and performance limitations in extreme temperatures, says Dragonfly Energy. In searching for more alternatives, lithium iron phosphate technology provides a “field-proven solution for mission-critical environments.” Dragonfly Energy’s lithium iron phosphate systems offer resilience against cold weather via integrated heating, consistent voltage delivery, thermal stability, and less maintenance. As such, these systems are well-suited for remote trackside installations, solar-powered systems, and critical communications infrastructure, says Dragonfly Energy.

“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.”