The battery consists of eight sub packs that are individually cooled and each contain 36 battery modules, which are also capable of being fast charged in just 30-minutes. A regenerative braking system built into the mining truck will also recoup energy when moving downhill to allow for passive capturing of power that would otherwise be lost. Fortescue is targeting 2030 to replace its diesel-powered sleet with electric or hydrogen vehicles as part of a vast decarbonization plan.
WAE CEO Craig Wilson spoke on the 240-tonne mining haul truck and battery saying, “Powered solely by renewable energy, it will help prevent enormous amounts of fossil fuel from being used in the mining industry, with the goal to not compromise the vehicle’s load capacity.”