Liebherr will integrate zero emissions power system technologies into its T264 haul truck under a new partnership with Fortescue Future Industries
Liebherr and Fortescue Metals Group (Fortescue) have signed an agreement for the development and supply of mining haul trucks which feature zero emissions power system technologies.
The power system technologies are being developed by Fortescue and Williams Advanced Engineering (WAE).
Drawing from Liebherr’s equipment and technology and Fortescue’s expertise in green technologies, the partnership aims to further the decarbonisation of heavy mobile equipment in the mining industry.
The supply of the mining haul trucks will be phased in following a two-year development period where Liebherr will integrate Fortescue’s proprietary-owned battery electric and fuel cell electric power system into the machines.
Liebherr says in order to meet the proposed target, it will use its expertise in the designing and manufacturing of machinery to engineer and supply the new mining haul trucks in accordance with Fortescue’s requirements.
The agreement forms part of Liebherr’s larger Mining Zero Emission Program whereby the company hopes to offer a complete range of fossil fuel free mining equipment for haulage, digging, and dozing by 2030.
“This project provides an excellent opportunity for us to accelerate the integration of clean energy battery and fuel cell power systems into our mining equipment, which supports our vision and defined strategy to offer future zero emission equipment with the best suitable power train technologies,” says Liebherr Mining chief technology officer Oliver Weiss.
“As a leader in green technologies for the international heavy industry and a world class mining owner-operator, Fortescue is an ideal partner for decarbonised mining equipment and technology initiatives, sharing the same vision as us.”
Fortescue chief executive Elizabeth Gaines says the deal marks a significant moment for the company and hopes to drive the future of the industry with the trucks.
“The signing of this contract with Liebherr marks a significant step in the delivery of our industry leading decarbonisation target to achieve net zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030,” Gaines says.
“We look forward to working with Liebherr and WAE to develop and deploy some of the world’s first zero emission large mining haul trucks in our operations, while also establishing an important new business growth opportunity for Fortescue as we diversify to become an integrated green energy and resources company.”