Electric trucks moving 3,200 tons of ore a day
When considering the concept of electric vehicles, one’s thoughts often turn immediately to city cars, SUVs, or—increasingly—large trucks used for road transport. Electrification is now reaching a range of demanding work environments. Indeed, it is hard to draw comparisons with a mine located 1,250 meters below the Earth's surface.
At the Malmberget site in Sweden, the state-owned mining company LKAB has deployed two large electric trucks developed in collaboration with Scania. Each unit is designed to carry over 70 tons of cargo, reaching a total loaded weight of approximately 120 metric tons (roughly 130 US tons). Their primary task is transporting iron ore between the mine's hoppers and crushers.
624 kWh battery and up to seven hours of operation on a single charge.
This is not merely a technology demonstration but a major undertaking. LKAB has put them directly into production; Electrek notes that each vehicle is capable of moving more than 3,200 tons of ore during a full shift. The mining company aims to evaluate the technology's potential—specifically its ability to permanently replace the large diesel vehicles currently used in underground operations.
Both vehicles feature a 6x4 configuration tailored to LKAB’s specific needs and are equipped with a 624 kWh lithium-ion battery. According to the company's statement, the vehicle operates efficiently for approximately seven hours under optimal conditions. Furthermore, the initial plan involves two shifts totaling sixteen hours of daily operation. However, the ultimate goal is to achieve continuous, round-the-clock operation. Regarding energy replenishment, the trucks can achieve a charging power of up to 375 kW using a CCS connector. According to Scania, approximately 80 minutes of charging provides enough energy to cover another full work shift. While this represents a significant stop compared to refueling a diesel vehicle, integration into mining operations is greatly facilitated by meticulous planning of routes and operating cycles.
The powertrain system is distinctive. Unlike the trend among other heavy-duty road trucks to use an electric axle, Scania’s architecture stands out for its central electric motor, automated gearbox, and conventional drive axles. This configuration allows for gear ratios to be adapted to deliver the torque required to move the load through the mine's tunnels.
At a depth of 1,250 meters underground, the batteries are surprisingly comfortable.
Working at such a depth might seem like one of the least favorable environments for an electric vehicle. However, LKAB states that the reality is quite the opposite. "The environment is dark, but it is ideal for electric vehicles," explains Pär Sundqvist, an electrification engineer at the mining company.
The main reason for this lies in temperature fluctuations. Inside the mine, the temperature remains constant between 12 and 15°C—optimal conditions for battery performance and significantly more stable than what would be encountered working outdoors in northern Sweden. Furthermore, the underground roadways are in excellent condition, which contributes significantly to the efficient operation of these vehicles.
Scania’s prior experience is also a favorable factor. Since 2022, LKAB has been using a Scania 25P XT electric truck on the surface, with a gross vehicle weight of 49 tonnes. According to Sundqvist, the system has operated effectively and continuously since its implementation, with results exceeding initial expectations. Moreover, the operators themselves have expressed a high level of satisfaction with the system. The subsequent need was straightforward: to substantially increase ore transport capacity within the mine.
LKAB aims to electrify 30% of its mining fleet by 2027.
As previously mentioned, the advantages go beyond simply eliminating the need for fuel. In an enclosed space more than a kilometer underground, doing away with a massive diesel engine means eliminating local emissions and reducing noise—precisely where employees work every day. Peter Gustavsson, head of LKAB’s mobile machinery electrification project, sums up his experience with the electric trucks as follows: "It is powerful, quiet, and reliable."
The scale of the operation highlights the complexity of the challenge. The mine moves over 50,000 tonnes of ore daily, and LKAB aims to have 30% of its mining machinery fleet electrified by 2027. Its primary goal is to transport and load at least five million tonnes annually with zero emissions.
These two trucks will serve precisely to evaluate the extent of that potential. "We would like to gather information on viable load limits, the amount of energy required, and the feasibility of replacing our current diesel equipment. Indeed, I believe we have the capacity to achieve this," concluded Sundqvist.
