Caterpillar is advancing its plans for sustainable mining as it successfully tested the first battery electric 793 large mining truck, as reported by Electrek.
(Photo : by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
SAN LEANDRO, CA - OCTOBER 23: The CAT logo is displayed on Caterpillar truck at Peterson Tractor on October 23, 2014 in San Leandro, California. Caterpillar Inc. reported strong third quarter earnings of$1.1 billion, or $1.63 a share compared to $946 million, or $1.45 a share, one year ago.
The company demonstrated what the electric mining truck could do. Initially, the program was created in 2021 with a focus on advancing the development of battery electric trucks to pave the way for sustainable mining operations while providing customers the chance to test and validate them.
During the demo, the truck plowed through a 4.3-mile course while it was fully loaded to its rated capacity. The truck achieved a top speed of 37.3 mph and traveled 0.62 miles up a 10 percent grade at 7.5 mph.
The EV mining truck also finished a 0.62-mile test on a ten percent downhill grade. Then, it was able to capture the energy that is normally lost to heat and redirect the energy back to the battery.
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What Caterpillar is Doing
Now, the company wants to advance its progress by transforming its Tucson, Arizona, to become a sustainable mine site by using renewable energy sources. As the company implements full battery electric technology into its equipment, it will use clean energy sources to power its facility and products.
The use of renewable energy sources is a departure from traditional mining operations. Electric mining technology from Caterpillar will increase productivity and reduce fuel costs, which is the main operational cost for mining companies.
Furthermore, electric mining trucks will be able to reduce emissions by as much as 95 percent significantly. There is a growing interest in electric trucks as technology becomes more advanced. A few years back, the only electric trucks on the market were electrically powered go-karts.
Now, electric trucks are on the rise, and they are progressively being revealed as more companies advance their development. Things are definitely changing when it comes to clean-energy technology. Using renewable energy sources to power mining equipment is no longer a pipe dream.
Still, there are some who are pessimistic about the effectiveness of battery electric mining trucks. Some experts, who have studied the matter, said that mining companies need to look at their current setup before implementing the technology.
For instance, some mining companies have limited space and no charging stations, making it impossible for them to utilize this technology.
Moreover, there are a lot of workers who continue to rely on truck engines to power their jobs, such as heavy equipment operators. In the end, there are a lot of factors that need to be considered before companies can utilize this technology fully.
But with the advancement of battery technology, everything is possible. Therefore, mining companies should embrace the possibility of battery electric mining trucks and make them a reality.
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Written by April Fowell
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