The World's Largest Hydrogen Powered Truck is Coming

Anglo American is one of the world’s leading mining companies. Founded in South Africa in 1917, the company produces diamonds, copper, coal, iron, nickel, etc. through responsible mining. The mining company has powered up with Williams Advanced Engineering, a company that provides world class innovations in technology, engineering and manufacturing, to test the world’s largest hydrogen powered truck. As the demand for cars rise, more and more automakers are switching from fossil fuels to more renewable energy, such as hydrogen. The two companies have recently joined forces to develop a hydrogen powered ultra-class electric mining haul truck. This massive truck is a key part of Anglo American’s approach to sustainable mining. The vehicle will be called the FCEV (fuel cell electric vehicle) haul truck. It will be powered by a hydrogen fuel cell module paired with a Williams scalable high-power modular lithium-ion battery system. This power source will replace the existing vehicle’s diesel engine, delivering in excess of 1000 kWh of energy storage. “Operating within a harsh environment is something we are familiar with as sole battery supplier for the Extreme E program and we remain committed to supporting long-term sustainability projects,” shares Craig Wilson, managing director of Williams Engineering. The battery system will be capable of recovering energy through regenerative braking as the massive haul truck rolls downhill. Williams supplied battery to the FIA Formula E global motorsport series for the first four seasons, and will be the sole battery supplier to the FIA Extreme E racing program starting 2021. “With their extensive industry experience, we believe Williams can help us to deliver this ground-breaking project, which is part of our plan to create a smart energy mix that moves us closer towards our carbon and energy targets for 2030 and, ultimately, our vision of operating a carbon-neutral mine,” Anglo American head of technology development Julian Soles said. Williams Engineering will design and build the battery units in Grove, Oxfordshire. The said battery unites will then be integrated into an existing haul truck. Testing is set to take place later this year at Anglo American’s Mogalakwena open pit platinum mine in South Africa. The mining company has committed to reducing their greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent by 2030.  

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