Fortescue and Liebherr Secure Orders for 100 Battery-Powered Mining Trucks
Australian miner Fortescue Metals Group and German-Swiss manufacturer Liebherr have secured orders for 100 autonomous battery-powered mining trucks, as part of their initiative to reduce carbon emissions.
Fortescue’s executive chairman, Andrew Forrest, revealed the trucks were developed to support the company’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2030.
Fortescue and Liebherr teamed up in 2022 to create electric versions of the T 264 truck, with expressions of interest for hundreds more vehicles already received.
The 240-tonne trucks, although more expensive than diesel models, offer greater reliability and productivity. The two companies also signed a $2.8 billion partnership to supply 360 trucks, 55 electric excavators, and 60 battery-powered dozers to Fortescue.
Fortescue has already saved $300-400 million per year on fuel costs using battery-powered trucks, a key factor in reducing the company’s emissions.
Additionally, it has developed fast-charging technology for these trucks, adapted from Formula E racing car technology. Fortescue aims to use these innovations to transition toward green iron production, anticipating strong demand from steel plants worldwide.
