Rio Tinto Trials Electric Trucks with Rapid Battery Swap Technology

Strategic Insights -

Rio Tinto has launched a trial of electric trucks equipped with battery swap technology at its Oyu Tolgoi copper mine in Mongolia. The trial involves eight electric trucks, 13 batteries, and a battery-swapping station, marking a significant step towards reducing emissions in the mining industry. The technology allows the battery of an electric mining truck to be replaced at a battery swap station in under seven minutes, minimizing downtime and improving efficiency.

Key Takeaways:

  • The trial, a tie-up with China's State Power Investment Corporation Qiyuan, aims to reduce emissions from mining haulage fleets, which are one of the biggest sources of emissions for Rio.
  • The electric trucks, known as "Tonly trucks," are the height of a double-decker bus and weigh 61 tonnes apiece, with a load capacity of 91 tonnes.
  • Each truck is powered by a battery capable of storing 800 kilowatt-hours of energy, about 20 times as much as the battery in a typical Nissan Leaf.
  • The trial is using eight electric trucks, 13 batteries, and a battery-swapping station, which can replace a depleted battery in under seven minutes.
  • The technology has the potential to replace up to 600 haul trucks operated by Rio, which could significantly reduce the company's emissions.
  • Ben Woffenden, general manager for global equipment and diesel transition, stated that the trial is an "important milestone" in Rio Tinto's drive to accelerate low-carbon innovation.

Statistics:

  • Rio operates 700 haul trucks, including about 100 "small or medium" ones with payloads of 100 to 200 tonnes.
  • The Oyu Tolgoi trial will run until the end of 2026.
  • The electric trucks used in the trial can travel at a maximum speed of 45 km/h and can climb a slope of up to 35%.
  • Each truck weighs 61 tonnes and has a height of 4.75m, width of 6.25m, and length of 11.4m.

Sources:

  • Emily Gosden, "Rio Tinto begins trialling electric trucks that can have their batteries swapped in 7 minutes", The Times, [Date not specified] (no date)
  • Rio Tinto, "Rio Tinto begins trialling battery swap technology at Oyu Tolgoi", [Website URL not specified] (no date)
  • China's State Power Investment Corporation Qiyuan, [Website URL not specified] (no date)