Hitachi partners with ABB to develop electric dump truck

Hitachi Construction Machinery and ABB have signed a collaboration agreement to develop an engineless, full battery rigid frame dump truck with a customised on-board energy storage system, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and offering a solution towards a net zero emission pathway.

How Hitachi and ABB are supporting zero goals with the move from diesel to full electric battery operation

Utilising ABB’s innovative battery technology, Hitachi Construction Machinery trucks can be transformed from diesel to full electric battery operation. The dump trucks will operate by utilising a new onboard electrification system – drawing its energy requirements from an energy supply system with dynamic charging, allowing simultaneous charging of the on-board energy storage system while providing energy to power the truck.

The system will provide extended battery longevity by reducing the load and discharge during each haul cycle, offering a cost-efficient industry solution that allows continuous operation to maintain high productivity.

Hitachi and ABB signed a memorandum of understanding in March 2021 to build a partnership aimed at realising net zero emissions. ABB will develop the on-board energy storage systems by customising an existing product and Hitachi Construction Machinery will lead the overall design and development of the dynamic charging battery dump truck utilising the technology of its existing rigid dump truck with trolley as its base, effectively allowing the accelerated development of this solution.

Hitachi and ABB are innovating to drive the electrification of mining operations

Hitachi Construction Machinery and ABB understand there is a growing interest in the electrification of mining operations and machinery, as environmental awareness grows within the industry and community.

Technology continues to be further developed in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while taking into consideration the demands of mining operations,” the companies said in a statement.

“By utilising Hitachi Construction Machinery’s dynamic charging battery dump truck systems and ABB’s battery technology, the joint collaboration will not only help tackle the challenge of solving the issues involved in dump truck electrification, but also provide a real-world climate change solution.”

Features of the dynamic charging battery dump truck being jointly developed by Hitachi and ABB

• Controls the initial and lifecycle costs - By drawing the electrical power from the dynamic charging system required during operation will limit the volume of batteries on the trucks, providing a sustainable solution. In addition, the system aims to reduce the lifecycle costs by drawing electrical power from the overhead system while connected, simultaneously charging the battery in an appropriate manner to reduce the load and depth of discharge, maximizing battery life.

• Reduces the vehicle weight and maximizes the load capacity - Limiting the battery volume lessens the weight of the battery solution on the vehicle, maximizing the battery dump truck’s payload capacity.

• Dynamic charging solution to provide a higher rate of operation over static charging - The solution draws electrical power from the dynamic charging system during operation while simultaneously charging the battery, removing the need to stop the vehicle for recharging. Therefore, achieving a higher rate of continuous operation to maintain productivity at site.