The first electric concrete truck mixer in Australia is currently undergoing trials in Melbourne, and is expected to deliver significantly lower operating costs than diesel options, and a lot less noise and emissions.
Holcim, the world’s leading global construction materials and solutions company, says the vehicle is the first Australian Design Rules (ADRs) approved and road registered 100% electric concrete truck mixer in Australia, and was launched under the Sany brand, supported by Putzmeister.
Putzmeister Oceania partnered with Cesco Australia to manufacture an Australian-made mixer structure on a SY408P Electric Chassis from Chinese construction machinery manufacturer Sany, the parent company of Putzmeister.
Integrated with locally designed and accepted controls and a mixer drum from Cesco Australia, the Sany eMixer is powered by a 350kWh battery from CATL.
While Holcim doesn’t offer a driving range number, a similar Sany eMixer offers a range of around 150 kilometres under routine working conditions.
“The eMixer typically has lower operating costs than its diesel counterparts,” said William Liang, Sany concrete & road machinery sales manager.
“It is more energy-efficient and requires less maintenance, which could result in significant cost savings over the vehicle’s lifetime. This not only makes it a smart financial choice but also aligns with our commitment to sustainability and innovation in the construction industry.”
Capable of being fully charged overnight with a 30kW charger, or in just three hours with a rapid DC charger, the Sany eMixer also reduces noise levels and enhances mileage and efficiency.
And, according to Holcim, the Sany eMixer has already demonstrated that it is up to the job, covering multiple trips from the plant to job sites around Melbourne, and completing each day with an average 35 per cent state of charge remaining.
According to Kevin Peet, regional logistics manager for concrete Vic/SA at Holcim, “The Sany Electric truck has been working extremely well out of our Footscray concrete plant in Melbourne and is meeting all expectations.”
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.