Caterpillar has successfully demonstrated its first battery electric large mining truck and is investing in sustainable land.
Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) announced a successful demonstration of the first battery electric 793 large mining truck and a significant investment to transform their Arizona-based land into a sustainable test and -validate hub in the future.
Caterpillar has completed development of its first battery electric 793 prototype with support from key mining customers participating in Caterpillar’s Early Learner program. Program participants with definitive electrification agreements include BHP, Freeport-McMoRan, Newmont Corporation, Rio Tinto and Teck Resources Limited.
Denise JohnsonResource Industries Group President said:
Our global team has come together to develop this battery truck at a rapid pace to help our customers meet their sustainability commitments.
“This demonstration is an important milestone, and we are excited for these trucks to be working on customer sites around the world in the near future.”
The Early Learner program launched in 2021 and focuses on accelerating the development and validation of Caterpillar battery electric trucks at participating customer sites. This approach supports individual commitments made by each Early Learner participant to reduce and eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from their operations.
The main purpose of the program is for Caterpillar to work more closely with its customers as the industry undergoes a transformational change through the energy transition.
Early Learner customers gathered to witness a live demonstration of Caterpillar’s prototype battery truck on a seven-kilometer (4.3-mile) course. During the event, Caterpillar monitored more than 1,100 data channels, gathering 110,000 data points per second, to validate simulation and engineering modeling capabilities.
Fully loaded to its rated capacity, the truck reached a top speed of 60 km/h (37.3 mph). A loaded truck travels one kilometer (0.62 miles) up a 10% grade at 12 km/h (7.5 mph).
The truck also made a one kilometer (0.62 mile) run on a 10% downhill grade, taking energy that would normally be lost as heat and converting that energy into a battery. Upon completion of the entire run, the truck maintains enough battery power to perform additional complete cycles.
Mine Site of the Future
The prototype truck was built at Caterpillar’s Tucson Proving Ground, located in Green Valley, Arizona. In support of the energy transition, Caterpillar is investing to transform proven land into a working, sustainable “minefield of the future” by installing and using a variety of renewable energy sources. energy.
The goal is to implement the same sustainable solutions that mining companies use in their own operations to know firsthand what it takes to run an electrified mine site and effectively support those customer through changes.
“The renovation of the Tucson Proving Ground allows Caterpillar to demonstrate our commitment to the energy transition and serve as a stronger advisor to customers as we move forward together.”
“We know that an integrated, site-level solution is needed for miners to meet their carbon reduction goals, and we’re here to help as they transform the way they mine in future generations,” Johnson emphasized.
As part of the site’s transformation, the company will install the latest advances in sustainability technology, including the production of green hydrogen, natural gas and 100% hydrogen reciprocating engine power generation, fuel cells power generation and expanded energy storage systems.
The site will also use a variety of renewable power sources, including wind, solar and hydrogen, which will enable the facility and its products to operate as long as they are electrified. The renovation of the facility will also serve as a learning platform for optimizing charging and integrating energy management.
About Caterpillar
With 2021 sales and revenue of $51.0 billion, Caterpillar Inc. is a leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives.
For nearly 100 years, we’ve been helping customers create a better, more sustainable world and committed to and contributed to a low-carbon future. Our innovative products and services, backed by our global dealer network, provide exceptional value that helps customers succeed.
Caterpillar does business on every continent, operating primarily through three main segments – Construction Industries, Resource Industries and Energy & Transportation – and provides financing and related services through our Segments. Financial Products. Visit us at caterpillar.com or join the conversation on our social media channels.
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Caterpillar Successfully Demonstrates First Battery Electric Large Mining Truck and Invests in Sustainable Proving Ground, IRVING, Texas, November 22, 2022
