Mining giants BHP and Rio Tinto are about to launch giant battery-powered EV trucks, with the heavy-duty vehicles much larger than a pickup truck developed by Tesla.
The multi-billion dollar companies are taking another step to revolutionize Australia’s mining sector, with the companies set to test two battery-electric trucks at mine sites in Western Australia’s mine-rich Pilbara region.
The first images of the large construction equipment have been released, after BHP and Rio Tinto teamed up with renowned manufacturers Caterpillar (CAT) and Komatsu to test and develop the off-road vehicles.
Mining giants Rio Tinto and BHP plan to roll out battery-electric trucks (pictured), with the companies set to track the vehicles in Western Australia’s mine-rich Pilbara region
Two CAT 793 trucks will be tested in the second half of 2024, while two Komatsu 930 trucks will be tested in 2026, with both manufacturers supplying one truck each to BHP and Rio Tinto.
The massive trucks are enormous compared to the Cybertruck that Tesla launched last December, as mining companies continue to march towards net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk said the battery-powered, stainless steel-clad truck was a more practical alternative for motorists, with the pick-up having a towing capacity of almost 5,000kg.
But for comparison, the CAT 793 can carry a whopping 240 tonnes, with the EV giant carrying its maximum rated load at 60 km/h.
Further independent testing of the heavy-duty trucks will measure how the battery-powered vehicles will perform on mining sites and how the trucks will be charged using the charging systems.
Geraldine Slattery, president of BHP Australia, said the testing and development of these trucks will help Australia’s mining industry become powered by battery-powered vehicles.
Construction equipment manufacturers Caterpillar and Komatsu worked with the mineral companies to test the trucks (pictured a Komatsu 930 heavy mining truck)
The Cybertruck (pictured), launched by Tesla last year, pales in comparison to the heavy-duty trucks, with Elon Musk branding the vehicle as a more practical alternative to traditional pickups
“Operational decarbonization depends on breakthroughs in technology and partnerships like this will drive our industry forward,” she said.
“Replacing diesel as a fuel source requires us to develop an entirely new operational ecosystem surrounding the fleet.”
Ms Slattery said a fleet of battery-powered trucks would reduce reliance on diesel vehicles.
“We have already seen incremental reductions in operational greenhouse gas emissions in Scope 1 and 2 by switching some of our supply to renewable electricity, and we want to build on that progress through the development of battery-electric technology,” said she. .
Simon Trott, Chief Iron Ore Executive at Rio Tinto, said the trials will show the way for the mining industry and other companies to go all-electric.
The multi-billion dollar companies continue to accelerate their transition to using renewable technology as companies look to reduce their dependence on diesel-powered vehicles (photo)
“This collaboration brings two leading global mining companies together with two of the world’s largest transportation truck manufacturers to work to solve the critical challenge of zero-emission transportation,” he said.
“Testing two types of battery-electric trucks in Pilbara conditions will provide better data, and by combining our efforts with BHP we will accelerate the learning process.”
The two manufacturers will use the trial to help them design more trucks so that the mining giants can be powered by a fleet of heavy-duty vehicles that will run entirely on electricity and batteries.
The trial comes after BHP signed a deal with Japanese carmaker Toyota last year to help develop the first fully electric versions of their legendary Landcruiser and HiLux cars and 4WDs.
The company reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 21 percent in 2021, but CO2 emissions from burning diesel were worth 40 percent of BHP’s direct and indirect emissions in 2020.