Electric mining trucks

Yes, it is possible, but the conversion requires a substantial rebuild of the truck. To be economically worthwhile, the conversion is best performed on a relatively new truck or carried out in combination with a major overhaul that would be needed anyway.

Ventilation savings vary significantly depending on the conditions in the mine. If ventilation requirements are driven primarily by blast gases or gases released from the rock, the savings are small or even zero. However, if heat generated by the trucks determines the ventilation need, reductions can reach up to 80%.

When exhaust gases are the limiting factor, the potential savings can be even higher. It is also important to note that the power savings for ventilation fans are greater than the airflow reduction itself, because the relationship between ventilation flow and fan power consumption is nonlinear.

The driving time varies depending on the operating cycle. Continuous uphill driving at full power can deplete the battery in about one hour. In a typical duty cycle, driving up and down ramps, combined with standstill periods for loading or waiting in traffic, the usable operating time is generally 2.5 to 4 hours per charge.

In scenarios where the truck drives loaded downhill and returns uphill empty, the available driving time can exceed an entire 8‑hour shift, thanks to energy recovery during downhill driving.

No. Hydrogen fuel‑cell technology is not yet mature enough for this type of heavy‑duty underground application, and both the investment cost and operating cost remain very high. In addition, the safety challenges of using hydrogen underground currently lack practical, proven solutions, making the technology unsuitable at this time.

There are two main charging solutions:

Alternative 1: Onboard charging
The truck is connected directly to an external charger using the standardized CCS charging interface. The more powerful MCS (Megawatt Charging System) is also under development and will be available in the future.

Alternative 2: Battery swapping
The battery is lifted off the truck and replaced with a fully charged one. This process typically takes 5–10 minutes, allowing the truck to return to operation quickly. The removed battery can then be charged using a CCS charger while the truck continues working with the new battery.

Trolley truck systems require high upfront investment and offer less operational flexibility, but they provide very low running costs and eliminate diesel exhaust emissions. They are most suitable when the following conditions are met:

• High production volumes
• Long‑life ramps where the infrastructure investment can be fully utilized
• Ventilation or heat challenges where reducing diesel emissions and heat load brings major benefits
• Strong sustainability ambitions and targets for carbon‑reduction or exhaust-free mining

Safety is the top priority for both mines and Epiroc. Battery‑powered machines generally present fewer safety risks than diesel machines, as they contain no flammable liquids and do not generate hot surfaces. However, they introduce different types of risks that require different preventive measures.

Epiroc’s battery system is built on a multi‑layer safety design, covering everything from the cell chemistry to the battery casing and continuous monitoring systems. One particular challenge in underground mining is the possibility of heavy rock falls impacting the battery. Epiroc batteries are engineered to withstand such impacts without creating a hazard, thanks to a combination of a robust steel battery casing and crash buffers integrated into the upper part of the battery. This layered protection ensures safe operation even in harsh underground conditions.