Scania to test heavy BEVs at LKAB mine

Scania electric tipper truck Photo: Scania

Scania is to test a battery-electric heavy tipper at the LKAB mine in Malmberget, Sweden. The heavy tipper will operate alongside an electric crane truck specially adapted for the mining operations.

The project will support LKAB’s efforts to become one of the most sustainable mining companies in the world, helping to produce carbon emissions-free iron and steel.

“The electric trucks are part of an ambition to set a new standard for sustainable mining, where fossil-free is used all the way,” said Peter Gustavsson, project manager at LKAB.

“We are shifting our fleet away from fossil diesel and as we are testing the capacity of battery-powered electric vehicles, decisions are taken with respect to the choice of trucks must not only contribute to higher productivity but, above all, also a more sustainable mine and a safer work environment.”

The heavy tipper truck, which has a total weight of 49 tonnes, will transport residual products. The second truck equipped with a crane has been purpose-fit to transport drill steel to underground drill rigs.

Fredrik Allard, Head of E-mobility, Scania ,said: “We continue to work with customers that are willing to try innovative solutions together with us. For Scania it is very valuable to be able to test electric vehicles in the extreme environment in real customers operations in the mine. On top of that, the electric heavy tipper is the first of its kind in the industry and another really big step on the journey towards sustainable transport solutions across all applications.”

The vehicles are expected to enter service at the LKAB mine over 2022.