XCMG celebrated the launch of its new, massive XC9260BEWL and XC9260BEWD lines by delivering one of each to Australian mining giant, Fortescue – part of a record-setting $400 million electric equipment order meant to help slash the company’s carbon emissions.
Unveiled this week at a formal ceremony in Xuzhou, China, the XC9260BEWL (battery electric wheel loader) and XC9260BEWD (battery electric wheel dozer) are built to meet or exceed the performance of XCMG’s diesel-hybrid XC9260 electric drive machines (above), which offer the same 783 kW (~1050 hp) electric motor as the battery-electric versions. Extending the similarities further, that should give the BEVs the same 127,000 kg (~280,000 lbs.) payload capacity and high-production bucket capacities (ranging from 11.5 to 14.5 cubic meters, or 15–19 cubic yards) as the hybrid machines, as well.
Battery specs haven’t been released, but XCMG rolled out a 15-ton battery-powered version of the XC9150 last year equipped with a 1,002 kWh (!) lithium iron phosphate battery co-developed with BYD and supporting fast DC charging.
The assumption, then, is that the battery packs in the significantly larger XC9260BE mining units developed for Fortescue will either be similarly massive – or even bigger than that.
They’re SO big, you guys
Fortescue is on track to deploy up to 100 similarly massive 70-130 ton battery electric haul trucks, loaders, and dozers from XCMG in its quest to reach “real zero” emissions at its iron mining operations in Australia’s Pilbara by 2030, meaning it will burn no fossil– or bio-based fuels for mining, transport, or power.
“The arrival of these prototypes is not only a major milestone in our partnership with XCMG,” explains Fortescue co-CEO, Gus Pichot, “but also a clear demonstration to the world of the tangible progress we are making to create the green technologies need to decarbonize our operations by 2030 … together, Fortescue and XCMG are committed to delivering at speed to show it’s possible for industry to economically eliminate emissions.”
The machines will now be shipped to Fortescue’s iron ore mining operations in the Pilbara in Western Australia for field application testing and optimization.
SOURCES: XCMG, via International Mining, the Driven.
If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.
Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
