When it comes to understanding what’s possible in the space of green transport, the big players often lead the way.
In Australia, fleets such as Toll and Australia Post feature solid numbers of electric trucks for last mile deliveries in particular, and electric three wheel vehicles for parcel and post deliveries.
In the world of heavy diesel equipment, it’s the miners who often venture into new spaces, driven to lower their costs and the need to provide shareholders with the comfort of knowing they are taking all steps possible to meet their Corporate Social Responsibility targets.
In that context, Australian transport operators should take note of the latest trial underway at Rio Tinto’s Oyu Tolgoi copper mine in Mongolia.
In partnership with China’s State Power Investment Corporation, Rio Tinto has added electric haul trucks to its line up, with the added bonus of having them operate with swappable batteries that take just seven minutes to replace.
Over the last year Rio Tinto and SPIC Qiyuan have delivered and installed a fleet of eight 91-tonne Tonly trucks, together with 13 batteries (each 800 kWh), a battery swapping station, static charger, and supporting infrastructure.
The trucks will now be used by Oyu Tolgoi for tailings dam construction and top soil transportation tasks, providing Rio Tinto with hands on experience operating and maintaining a complete battery electric truck and swap charging system.
Rio Tinto General Manager Global Equipment and Diesel Transition Ben Woffenden says the trial in an important milestone for the company.
“The rapid deployment and fast-tracked operational learnings have highlighted the importance of partnerships in advancing low-emission haulage alternatives for our business,” Woffenden says.
“By working with partners such as SPIC Qiyuan and Tonly, Rio Tinto is rapidly identifying and adopting cost-effective, proven innovations that can support operational excellence and advance decarbonisation goals.”
General Manager of Qiyuan Green Power, Mr. Guo Peng says the partnership provided a great opportunity to showcase the company’s battery technology.
“We are honoured to partner with Rio Tinto to launch this milestone battery-swap truck trial at the Oyu Tolgoi mine,” he says.
“SPIC Qiyuan is committed to advancing green energy technology innovation, and this partnership showcases the significant potential of our proven battery-swap solutions in helping global mining customers reduce emissions and enhance operational efficiency.”
The equipment will be tested through to the end of 2026 and will help Rio Tinto identify opportunities for wider adoption of this low emission technology across the company.
Rio Tinto’s global fleet of 700 haul trucks includes about 100 small or medium class (100-200t payload) vehicles, offering the potential to adopt current-generation battery swap technology.