Scania reports that it will be ready to operate an electric heavy tipper truck specially designed for the LKAB mining area in Malmberget, Northern Sweden. This development provides Scania with the opportunity to test and operate electric trucks in the rigors of a demanding mining environment.
Scania and LKAB both operate in an industry that is currently undergoing significant changes to achieve a higher level of sustainability. The two established industrial companies are now joining forces to operate electric vehicles at the LKAB mine, a step towards future and sustainable transportation for the industry.
LKAB strives to be one of the most sustainable mining companies in the world. The route to a safe, productive and carbon-free iron and steel industry in mines is now being expanded to include transportation.
Fredrik Allard, Scania's Head of E-mobility, said that his electric heavy tipper truck is an industry first and another major step on the journey towards sustainable transportation solutions in all applications.
“We continue to work closely with customers who are willing to try innovative solutions with us. For Scania, it is very valuable to be able to test electric vehicles in extreme environments in real customer operations in mining,” he explained in his statement, Tuesday (22/3/2022).
The Scania tipper truck which is also a heavy duty truck has a total payload weight of up to 49 tons. The truck will be equipped with a crane application suitable for transporting drill steel to underground drilling rigs. In addition, these electric trucks can be charged mobilely at the mine site for increased flexibility. The vehicle is expected to start operating at LKAB in 2022.
Peter Gustavsson, LKAB Project Manager said that electric trucks have become an ambition to set a new standard for sustainable mining, where fossil-free vehicles will be used throughout the operation.
“We are shifting our fleet away from fossil diesel and as we test the capacity of battery-powered electric vehicles, decisions made regarding truck choice must not only contribute to higher productivity but, but also more sustainable mining and a safer work environment,” he said. .
Furthermore, he revealed that Scania's entry into the LKAB transformation process was very valuable because it gave them the opportunity to evaluate their battery-powered vehicle.
“Together we hope to develop and build a fossil-free vehicle that is productive or even more productive than what we have today,” concluded Gustavsson.
