Hitachi and ABB to develop an engineless, full battery rigid dump truck

By MEq August 4, 2021 22:21

Hitachi Construction Machinery and ABB have signed a collaboration agreement to develop an engineless, full battery rigid frame dump truck (hereinafter, “full battery dump truck”) with a customized onboard energy storage system, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and offering a solution towards a net-zero emission pathway.

Utilizing ABB’s innovative battery technology, Hitachi Construction Machinery trucks can be transformed from diesel to full electric battery operation. The dump trucks will operate by utilizing a new onboard electrification system – drawing its energy requirements from an energy supply system with dynamic charging, allowing simultaneous charging of the onboard energy storage system while providing energy to power the truck. The system will provide extended battery longevity by reducing the load and discharge during each hauling cycle, offering a cost-efficient industry solution that allows continuous operation so as to maintain the high productivity and performance the industry has come to expect from Hitachi Construction Machinery products.

Both companies signed a memorandum of understanding in March 2021 to build a partnership aimed at realizing net-zero emissions and this joint development is the first project where the two companies will apply their complementary skills to achieve this goal. ABB will develop the on-board energy storage systems by customizing an existing product and Hitachi Construction Machinery will lead the overall design and development of the dynamic charging battery dump truck utilizing the technology of its existing rigid dump truck with a trolley as its base, effectively allowing the accelerated development of this solution.

Hitachi Construction Machinery and ABB understand there is a growing interest in the electrification of mining operations and machinery, as environmental awareness grows within the industry and community. Technology continues to be further developed in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while taking into consideration the demands of mining operations.

By utilizing Hitachi Construction Machinery’s dynamic charging battery dump truck systems and ABB’s battery technology, the joint collaboration will not only help tackle the challenge of solving the issues involved in dump truck electrification but also provide a real-world climate change solution.

Features of the dynamic charging battery dump truck being jointly developed
1. Controls the initial and lifecycle costs
By drawing the electrical power from the dynamic charging system required during operation will limit the volume of batteries on the trucks, providing a sustainable solution. In addition, the system aims to reduce the lifecycle costs by drawing electrical power from the overhead system while connected, simultaneously charging the battery in an appropriate manner to reduce the load and depth of discharge, maximizing battery life.

2. Reduces the vehicle weight and maximizes the load capacity
Limiting the battery volume lessens the weight of the battery solution on the vehicle, maximizing the battery dump truck’s payload capacity.

3. Dynamic charging solution to provide a higher rate of operation over static charging
The solution draws electrical power from the dynamic charging system during operation while simultaneously charging the battery, removing the need to stop the vehicle for recharging. Therefore, achieving a higher rate of continuous operation to maintain productivity at site.

Hitachi Construction Machinery and ABB’s joint solution will contribute to net-zero emissions of greenhouse gases from mining machinery, utilizing ABB’s strengths in mining facility control systems, power grids, and overall mining processes, paired with Hitachi Construction Machinery’s extensive trolley truck delivery record and engineering capability in providing a rigid dump truck platform with power-receiving dynamic charging system.