Chinese mining equipment manufacturer Zijin Longking has unveiled the ZL230E, a battery-electric dump truck designed to carry up to 230 tonnes of material in open-pit mining operations. The heavy-duty vehicle combines a 1,400 kWh battery with a 1.6 MW electric powertrain and can charge to 90% in 25 minutes, according to the company.
ZL230E Targets High-Intensity Mining Operations
The ZL230E was unveiled in early August as the latest addition to Zijin Longking’s battery-electric mining vehicle portfolio.
The truck has a tare weight of 120 tonnes and a maximum payload of 230 tonnes, giving it a gross vehicle weight of up to 350 tonnes. Its dump body can carry up to 125 cubic metres of material when heaped.
Zijin Longking said the vehicle was developed in-house for continuous and intensive operation in open-pit mines.
Dual 800 kW Motors Deliver 1.6 MW
The ZL230E uses a multi-axle propulsion system with independently driven axles. Two electric motors, each rated at 800 kW, provide a combined output of 1.6 MW.
Power is distributed among the driven axles according to operating conditions. The system is designed to maintain performance during loaded uphill driving and extended haul routes.
Zijin Longking has not disclosed the battery chemistry, but the battery pack has a capacity of approximately 1,400 kWh. The company says the truck can reach a 90% state of charge in 25 minutes.
The vehicle also incorporates a rigid frame, redundant braking and steering systems, dual chassis control and an intelligent energy management system for operation in demanding mining environments.
Zijin Expands Electric Mining Truck Portfolio
The ZL230E expands Zijin Longking’s electric mining vehicle range into a higher payload category.
At the end of 2025, the company introduced the LK220E, another battery-electric dump truck developed internally. The ZL230E was previously developed under the LK350E designation.
Zijin has also accumulated operating experience with electric haul trucks at the Julong Copper Mine in Tibet. Several Zijin Longking battery-electric trucks with 140-tonne payloads are already operating at the site.
According to the company, each truck moves more than 2,000 tonnes of material per day, achieves availability above 90% and uses more than 17% less energy than comparable diesel-powered vehicles.
Battery Swapping Complements Fast Charging
Zijin Longking is pursuing different energy supply models for its electric mining fleet.
The ZL230E uses rapid charging, while battery swapping is deployed at other mining operations. At the Xinjiang Zijin Zinc Mine, the company uses an automated battery-swapping system.
Zijin also plans to integrate electric mining trucks with renewable energy sources, stationary energy storage, charging infrastructure and battery-swapping systems.
The approach is intended to link vehicle electrification with broader energy infrastructure at mining sites.
Zijin Targets Wider Mining Fleet Electrification
Zijin aims to replace conventional mining trucks with electric vehicles within three years.
The company estimates that its electric mining trucks already have operating costs around 29% lower per tonne-kilometre than internal-combustion vehicles at Chinese mines.
However, Zijin Longking has not yet disclosed when the ZL230E will enter mass production or when the first vehicles will be delivered to mining operations.
The development adds another heavy-duty electric vehicle to Zijin’s broader fleet electrification strategy as the company expands the use of battery-powered haul trucks across its mining operations.
