Surface Truck EV Trial

The Electric Mine Consortium are focussed across all fleet sizes when it comes to electrification. In our recent work, we have uncovered that while larger surface in-pit trucks already have some trials underway, there is a lack of focus on the smaller trucks. Making sure we understand, and trial, electric technologies in smaller fleets is important to our members, and we were recently presented with an opportunity to do so by Electric Power Conversion Australia (EPCA), an Indigenous electric battery conversion company in Australia.

We are looking at doing a CAT 777 electric demonstration vehicle with EPCA. This will be an electric conversion of the mostly commonly used surface truck across the Tier 2 and Tier 3 miners. The current diesel motor of 746kW will be replaced with a 1000kW electric motor, with the 2MWhr batteries installed giving an 8-hour run time. The truck will be remotely monitored, with the equipment life having more than 20 years and battery life more than 5 years.

Not only will the truck have 30% more power, it will also move dirt quicker. The 100-tonne size truck is the most widely used truck size, meaning it is a great choice for an initial trial. There will be a 50% reduction in the total cost of ownership and the truck can be used for any duty to test performance and measure cost savings. This demo is hire cost only, so there is no capital outlay and gives you the chance to try before you buy. And the ultimate benefit? Zero emissions.

We are really keen to see who else in industry is interested in participating in this trial. To find out more or to register your interest, please do so here: surfacetruckev@stateofplay.org