Australian mining giant Fortescue will soon take delivery of two new mammoth battery electric trucks – its first from Chinese construction equipment producer XCMG.
The two new battery electric behemoths were unveiled this week by XCMG at its manufacturing base in Xuzhou, China.
The two new prototypes include the XC9260BEWL (battery electric wheel loader) and the XC9260BEWD (battery electric wheel dozer), both of which will soon be shipped to Fortescue’s iron ore mining operations in the Pilbara for field testing and optimisation.
The trucks’ unveiling was revealed by Jason Zhang, director of mining truck research and development at XCMG, on his LinkedIn account.
There’s little in the way of specific details for either truck yet, but the XCMG website claims that its XC9260 front loader boasts a power rating of 783-kilowatts (kW) and a nominal load capacity of 127,000kg and bucket capacity of between 11.5-14.5-metres-squared.
Fortescue is seeking up to 400 giant battery electric trucks and dozers, along with other all electric mining equipment, in its quest to reach “real zero” at its Pilbara mining operations by 2030, meaning it will burn no diesel or gas for mining, transport or its power needs by that time.
XCMG is one of a number of key Chinese suppliers brought in to help with that plan, including Envision (wind turbines), Longi (solar modules), and BYD (battery storage). Fortescue is also using US-based Liebherr as a major supplier.
The Driven has reached out to Fortescue for any further comment or information on the trucks, and will update this article as appropriate.
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.
