The working conditions of freight electric locomotives with full-weight and empty-weight trains are analyzed. It is shown that due to the use of scalable traction power control technology (discrete-adaptive control algorithm), there is a possibility for more complete use of electric locomotive capacity and, accordingly, a significant increase in its energy efficiency. The main condition for the realization of this possibility is the presence of an individual per-axle traction control system. Corresponding changes in the construc- tion of electric locomotives of previous years of production can be made during moderni- zation as part of factory repair. The calculation of financial savings from the use of these proposals is presented.