Fortescue Metals Secures $10 Million for Development of Fast Chargers for Heavy Mining Equipment
Australian technology, energy, and metals group Fortescue Metals has received A$10 million in funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) to advance the development of a 6 MW fast charger.
This funding will support Fortescue’s efforts to deploy fast-charging technology capable of powering battery-electric heavy mining equipment.
The project will involve designing, constructing, and validating several test-unit chargers, with the aim of launching the first production 6 MW charger by the end of 2025.
Developed by Fortescue Zero, the company’s dedicated renewable-energy division, the 6 MW fast charger will be compatible with a wide range of heavy mining equipment and engineered to meet the demanding operational requirements of the mining industry.
Fortescue CEO Dino Otranto emphasized the company’s decarbonization plan, stating, “As part of our strategy, we plan to roll out approximately 250 fast chargers of various capacities across our iron ore operations by the end of this decade.”
“This project will not only drive demand from external heavy industry customers but will also result in significant emissions reductions,” Otranto added.
Fortescue Zero CEO Ellie Coates explained that the chargers will be specifically designed to operate under the tough conditions of the Pilbara.
“These rugged, high-power chargers will offer a safe, scalable fast-charging solution for various vehicle applications,” Coates said. “Leveraging our expertise in battery and charging technology from motorsport, these chargers are built to handle the challenging conditions of the Pilbara and will power Fortescue’s future 240-ton Liebherr T 264 battery-electric trucks in just 30 minutes.”
The new fast chargers will be tested and validated at Fortescue Zero’s Research and Development facility in Perth, where the first production units will undergo factory acceptance testing before being deployed at Fortescue’s mining sites.
Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy Josh Wilson praised the funding, noting the importance of the project for the state’s mining sector.
“Heavy haulage trucks are critical to Western Australia’s mining operations but are currently reliant on fossil fuels, leading to pollution, cost volatility, and energy insecurity,” Wilson said.
“Fortescue’s fast charger development is a forward-thinking initiative that will help electrify the mining sector and contribute to the vital task of decarbonizing our economy.”
