A fully electric concrete truck has been deployed for the first time on a major Western Australian metro infrastructure project
Western Australia’s METRONET Byford Rail Extension has debuted a fully electric concrete truck on the project, which METRONET says is a first for the state’s metro infrastructure projects.
Following a successful six-month trial at a remote mine site near Port Hedland, the Foton electric concrete truck from Holcim Australia is currently delivering materials to the Byford Rail Extension Project sites, providing environmental benefits.
“Developing and adopting innovative ways of working more sustainably is a key focus of every METRONET project,” METRONET says.
- Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter to receive the latest news in the earthmoving industry
- Never miss a great deal and subscribe to our monthly magazine
- Download a free copy of our latest digital magazine to catch up on the biggest news and developments in the earthmoving industry
“The innovative EV significantly reduces carbon emissions compared to traditional diesel-powered trucks and replacing one diesel concrete truck with the electric option will eliminate around 42 tonnes of CO₂ from entering the atmosphere each year.”
As well as lowering carbon emissions, the electric concrete truck provides lower noise levels than its diesel counterpart, reducing disruption to the surrounding environment while works take place and creating a better work environment for the site crew.
The electric truck is just one of several lower-carbon alternatives in place on the project with project teams also using a retrofitted hydrogen-producing unit in one of its wheel loaders, as a fuel alternative.
METRONET says each one of these sustainable solutions aligns with the METRONET Sustainability Strategy to identify and implement practical ways to reduce the carbon footprint of its projects.