FMG, Liebherr partner on electric trucks

Fortescue Metals Group is aiming to have its first zero emission haul trucks fully operational by 2025 after signing a major deal with German manufacturer Liebherr.

Fortescue, which currently sources most of its haul trucks from Caterpillar dealer WesTrac, plans to buy 120 units from Liebherr.

These represent 45 per cent of the current haul truck fleet at Fortescue’s operations.

The new trucks will be fitted with zero-emission power system technologies being developed by Fortescue Future Industries and its subsidiary Williams Advanced Engineering.

The phased supply of the haul trucks is anticipated to commence following a two-year joint development period.

Fortescue said this period would enable the development and integration of its power system into Liebherr’s base truck.

Liebherr will supply mining haul trucks to Fortescue in both battery electric truck and fuel cell electric truck configurations, in accordance with Fortescue’s requirements.

Fortescue said truck haulage consumed approximately 200 million litres of diesel in FY21 and accounted for 26 per cent of its scope one emissions.

“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 one and two emissions by 2030,” chief executive Elizabeth Gaines said.

“We strongly believe that enhancing technology is key to addressing climate change and we are investing in renewables and new decarbonisation technologies to transform our mining fleet to run on green renewable energy.”

“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.”

Liebherr president Willi Liebherr said the partnership with Fortescue “will draw from Liebherr’s industry leading equipment and technology, as well as Fortescue Future Industries’ expertise in green technologies, to deliver zero emission mining”.