Caterpillar successfully conducted a trial run of its first large battery-powered mining truck

With the support of major mining customers who participated in Caterpillar's "Early Learning Program", Caterpillar completed the development of its first battery-powered 793 prototype vehicle. Project participants such as BHP Billiton, Freeport-McMoran, Newmont Mining, Rio Tinto Group and Teck Resources Canada have signed clear electrification agreements for this purpose.

Group President of Caterpillar in charge of the resources industry

Denise Johnson said:

The global team of Caterpillar has worked together to accelerate the development of this first battery-powered mining truck from Caterpillar, helping customers fulfill their commitment to sustainability. This trial operation is an important milestone. We are excited about the idea that these trucks will be working in the mines of global customers in the near future.

The "Early Learning Program" was launched in 2021, with a focus on accelerating the development and testing of Caterpillar battery-powered trucks at the mines of customers participating in the program. The "Early Learning Project" will support participating enterprises in fulfilling their respective commitments to reducing or eliminating greenhouse gas emissions in their operations. The main objective of this project is to enable Caterpillar and its customers to achieve closer cooperation during the industry's energy transition and transformation.

Customers participating in the early learning program witnessed together the on-site trial operation of Caterpillar's battery-powered prototype truck within a 7-kilometer site. During the exhibition event, Caterpillar monitored over 1,100 data sources and collected 110,000 data points per second to verify its simulation and engineering modeling capabilities. When fully loaded to the rated capacity, the truck can reach a maximum speed of 60 kilometers per hour. The fully loaded truck traveled 1 kilometer on the ground with a 10% uphill slope at a speed of 12 kilometers per hour. The prototype truck also traveled 1 kilometer on a 10% downhill slope, capturing the energy that is usually lost due to heat and regenerating it into the battery. After the entire trial run was completed, the truck still had sufficient power to complete multiple round trips.