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.
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.
The two prototypes are the first to be delivered as part of a zero-emission equipment supply agreement signed by Fortescue and XCMG in November 2024.
Under the US$400 million contract, XCMG will provide Fortescue’s mining operations in the Pilbara with more than 100 zero-emission heavy mobile machines by 2030, including electric wheel loaders, dozers, watercarts and graders.
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 arrival of these prototypes is not only a major milestone in our partnership with XCMG, but also a clear demonstration to the world of the tangible progress we are making to create the green technologies need to decarbonise our operations by 2030,”Fortescue co-CEO Gus Pichot said in an emailed statement.
“Together, Fortescue and XCMG are committed to delivering at speed to show it’s possible for industry to economically eliminate emissions.”
The prototypes will now be tested in China, before heading to Fortescue’s sites in the Pilbara for further testing.
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.