Hitachi and ABB to develop fully electric dump truck with trolley assist

Hitachi Construction Machinery and ABB have signed a collaboration agreement to develop a full battery electric rigid frame dump truck with a customised on-board energy storage system. 

Using 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 using a new onboard electrification system allowing simultaneous charging of the on-board energy storage system while providing energy to power the truck. 

The truck will use a trolley as its base, allowing for accelerated development of the technology, the companies say. 

The system will provide extended battery longevity by reducing the load and discharge during each haul cycle, offering a cost efficient solution. 

Both companies signed a memorandum of understanding in March 2021 to build a partnership aimed at realising net zero emissions and the joint development is the first project towards that goal. 

ABB will develop the on-board energy storage systems and Hitachi Construction Machinery will lead the overall design and development of the dynamic charging battery dump truck. 

ABB motion traction division president Edgar Keller says the partnership will help mine operators achieve their production and sustainability goals.

“We are honoured to collaborate with Hitachi Construction Machinery combining extensive industry expertise and innovative technologies to improve efficiency and accelerate the transition to all-electric mine operations,” Keller says. 

Hitachi mining group senior vice president and executive officer Sonosuke Ishii says the “strengths and knowledge of both companies will be utilised to realise the early development of dynamic charging battery dump trucks”. 

“In addition, ABB’s energy storage solutions can also be used for static charging dump trucks and the technology is ready for future fuel cell electric vehicles, the basic technologies required for net-zero emissions from mining machinery can also be established as part of the current development. 

“Both companies will continue with the development while looking ahead to the future,” Ishii says. 

*Click here to see a video about Hitachi’s diesel engine rigid dump truck using the trolley system.