Global mining company Fortescue and heavy equipment manufacturer Liebherr have introduced a groundbreaking 6 MW DC fast charger, capable of charging a massive haul truck’s 1,900 kWh battery in under 30 minutes.
The technology is part of a larger $4 billion agreement announced at MINEexpo, marking a significant step toward zero-emission mining equipment.
The 6 MW charger, twice as powerful as the 3 MW prototype showcased at CES last year, is designed to support autonomous battery-electric trucks like Liebherr’s T 264, a 240-ton truck, dramatically reducing charging times.
“Fortescue has developed the stationary fast charging solution to support the autonomous battery-electric truck,” the company stated, highlighting its capability to recharge heavy-duty equipment quickly and efficiently.
The deal between Fortescue and Liebherr covers the purchase of 475 zero-emission vehicles, including 360 autonomous electric trucks, 55 electric excavators, and 60 battery-powered loaders.
This rollout is a crucial component of Fortescue’s 2030 Real Zero target, which aims to decarbonize its mining operations by 2030. Fortescue’s Executive Chairman, Dr. Andrew Forrest, emphasized the urgency of the project, stating, “The world needs Real Zero now – it simply cannot afford to wait.”
Dr. Jörg Lukowski, Liebherr’s Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing, lauded the partnership, calling it the largest equipment deal in Liebherr’s 75-year history and a pivotal step toward decarbonizing mining activities globally.
