World’s largest hydrogen truck outperforms diesel model

May 9, 2022 Richard Szabo

A multinational resources company claims its gas-powered heavy vehicle is more powerful than its fossil-fuelled predecessor.

Anglo America’s nuGen hydrogen-battery pack stores up to 800 kilowatts of power, giving the haul truck a total output of 2 megawatts. This is touted to exceed the employer’s diesel-powered predecessor.

The 220 tonne truck is capable of carrying a 290t payload (510t total laden weight) and can be refuelled in Anglo’s hydrogen production, storage, and refuelling complex at Mogalakwena mine, 238km north of Pretoria. The mine site is also claimed to incorporate a solar plant and the largest electrolyser in Africa.

The nuGen zero emission haulage solution aims to help the company achieve its carbon-neutral target by the year 2040. This will be accomplished through harnessing “abundant” solar, wind and other renewable energy sources to create new employment and development opportunities. ENGIE, First Mode, Ballard and NPROXX have already won tenders to work on different packages.

Since the prototype is delivering promising results, Anglo next plans to roll out hydrogen technology across its entire haul truck fleet.

“Over the next several years, we envisage converting or replacing our current fleet of diesel-powered trucks with this zero-emission haulage system, fuelled with green hydrogen,” Anglo chief executive Duncan Wanblad said in a public statement.

“If this pilot is successful, we could remove up to 80 per cent of diesel emissions at our open pit mines by rolling this technology across our global fleet.”

ENGIE hopes other mining companies will also begin converting and replacing their diesel-powered haul trucks.

“We aim to unlock the potential of green hydrogen in South Africa and pave the way for the decarbonisation of the mining industry,” said Sébastien Arbola who is executive vice president of thermal generation, hydrogen and energy supply.

Electric dump truck recharges without stopping
Dump truck driver runs over ute blocking his way
Coal mines investigate heavy vehicle mishaps
Dump truck incident at open cut coal mine.

Previous Article
Employer’s penalty reduced for amputated labour hire worker
Employer’s penalty reduced for amputated labour hire worker

A family business received lighter punishment five years after an outsourced team member permanently lost a...

Next Article
Gas Detection Connect: Turning individual devices into one smart system
Gas Detection Connect: Turning individual devices into one smart system

How can we make the industrial world safer? This question has always been a leading topic of discussion her...