Hitachi battery dump truck demonstration clears the way for adoption in North America
The battery-powered EH4000AC-3 was evaluated by 25 companies at a working copper mine, showcasing its potential to lower fuel costs in real-world applications.
At a working copper mine in Zambia, Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd. brought together 25 companies to witness the EH4000AC-3 battery-powered rigid dump truck in operation with its trolley charging system. The group of industry leaders saw first-hand as the Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) completed a full cycle, from trolley assisted power to full battery operation. During trials, the truck has covered a total haul road distance of almost 2,500 miles (4,000 kilometers) and transported more than 30,000 tons. The BEV achieved zero CO2 emissions during trial operations while demonstrating improved acceleration and reduced noise levels. The event provided key insights into how battery-electric haulage can support evolving operational and sustainability goals, particularly in the North American market.
“The successful demonstration of our Battery Electric Vehicle and the Trolley Assist System is exciting for us here in North America,” says Mike Whitelock, Director of Mining for Hitachi Construction Machinery Americas. “The technology has been proven to work as intended, now companies in the U.S. and Canada can confidently adopt these systems that will reduce fuel costs and improve overall sustainability.”
The technology has now proven effective in real-world mining applications, giving companies across the U.S. and Canada confidence to adopt these systems at scale.
By matching the right applications with available energy sources, mining operations can reduce fuel consumption, lower costs, increase productivity and create a more sustainable environment for modern mining.
The truck was jointly developed with ABB Ltd., a technology leader in electrification and automation, and features an optimized battery design that reduces battery weight as a proportion of total vehicle mass to maximize payload capacity and improve cost performance. Real-world operating data from the copper mine site provides clear evidence of the technology’s progress and supports possible commercialization in North America in FY2027.
