Electric Trucks in Japan Succeed in Africa: Battery-Powered Mine Trucks Advance as Major Mining Companies Pursue Net-Zero Emissions Goals

¬ Hitachi completes battery-powered mine truck trial at Zambia’s Copperbelt mine

¬ Truck traveled over 4,000 km, transporting more than 30,000 tons of material, with zero CO₂ emissions

¬ Despite challenges related to cost, safety, and infrastructure, the electric mining equipment market continues to grow rapidly

Hitachi Construction Machinery announced on Friday that it has successfully concluded its public demonstration of a fully battery-powered mine truck at the Kansanshi copper mine in Zambia. This trial marks the completion of a one-year pilot program conducted in collaboration with Canadian mining company First Quantum Minerals, running from June 2024 to August 2025. The project is a key component of broader industry efforts to decarbonize mining, which remains one of the world’s largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions.

During the year-long trial, the Japanese equipment manufacturer’s trucks traveled over 4,000 kilometers on haul roads, transporting more than 30,000 tons of material. Hitachi reported achieving zero carbon dioxide emissions during operations—thanks to Zambia’s grid, where 92% of electricity comes from hydropower plants. Meanwhile, in Australia, BHP and Rio Tinto launched a joint trial of Caterpillar battery-powered trucks at the Kimberley iron ore mine in December 2025.

Fast-Growing Market

Interest in electric mining equipment has far surpassed the experimental phase. According to Market Research Future, the global electric mining equipment market was valued at $1.7 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $5.26 billion by 2035, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.82%. This expansion is driven by the alignment between electric vehicle performance and the ambitious climate targets set by major mining companies.

The International Council on Mining and Metals notes that mining and metal production accounted for 11% of global greenhouse gas emissions in 2024, ranking it as the sixth-largest emitting sector worldwide. Under increasing pressure to decarbonize, companies are viewing electrified fleets as a primary pathway to reduce their carbon footprint and improve operational efficiency. Both Rio Tinto and BHP have committed to achieving net-zero operational emissions by 2050.

"The success of this trial marks a significant step forward in the mining industry’s journey toward decarbonization, and we believe our partnership with Hitachi Construction Machinery is crucial for achieving sustainable mining operations in the future," said Gordon White, Director of Operations and Technology at First Quantum Minerals.

Efficiency Gains and Challenges

Electric motors offer substantial technological advantages over internal combustion engines. While traditional diesel engines typically achieve energy efficiencies below 30%, electric motors can reach up to 90% efficiency. This advantage is even more pronounced underground, where eliminating diesel exhaust emissions can significantly reduce operating costs. A Swedish study found that switching to electric fleets could cut ventilation costs by as much as 86.7%.

Despite these benefits, the industry remains cautious. The initial cost of electric mine trucks can be twice that of equivalent diesel trucks, and overall profitability depends heavily on site-specific infrastructure. Recent industry surveys highlight two major barriers to adoption: high capital expenditures and insufficient large-scale reliability validation.

Safety concerns remain prominent, especially in underground operations. In confined spaces, battery fires are harder to extinguish than diesel engine fires. Furthermore, environmental benefits depend on the availability of “green” charging infrastructure; without low-emission power sources, greenhouse gas emissions would simply shift from vehicles to local power plants.

Hitachi plans to bring its electric trucks to market in fiscal year 2027. After completing their joint trial in Australia, BHP and Rio Tinto have not yet decided whether to scale up their electric fleets. Ultimately, commercial viability will be the decisive factor in the market.

Source: ecofinagency

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1863030056752199/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) alone.