At a working copper mine in Zambia, Hitachi Construction Machinery demonstrated the battery-powered EH4000AC-3 rigid dump truck with a trolley charging system to representatives of 25 mining companies. During trials, the truck covered approximately 4,000 km of haul roads and transported more than 30,000 tonnes of ore — with zero CO₂ emissions throughout.
What the Trials Demonstrated
The demonstration ran as a full operating cycle: attendees watched the truck switch from trolley power to onboard battery operation and complete hauls in standard production mode. The trials recorded improved acceleration and a noticeable reduction in noise levels compared to diesel equivalents. The results confirmed the technology's viability in real-world mining conditions.
"The successful demonstration of our Battery Electric Vehicle and the Trolley Assist System is exciting for us. The technology has been proven to work as intended — companies can now confidently adopt these systems that will reduce fuel costs and improve overall sustainability." — Mike Whitelock, Director of Mining, Hitachi Construction Machinery Americas.
Technology and Partnership with ABB
The EH4000AC-3 was jointly developed with ABB Ltd., a global leader in electrification and automation. A key design feature is an optimized battery pack with a reduced weight-to-mass ratio, allowing the truck to maintain high payload capacity while improving the economics of haulage.
The trolley charging system recharges the batteries during travel along equipped sections of the haul road, eliminating lengthy downtime and keeping fleet productivity on par with conventional machines.
Path to Commercialization
Real-world operating data from the Zambia copper mine provides a solid evidence base for commercial deployment. Hitachi plans to bring the EH4000AC-3 to the North American market in FY2027. CE certification opens similar prospects for European markets, including Armenia's growing mining sector.
Battery-powered mining trucks enable operations to significantly cut fuel costs, reduce carbon footprint, and meet increasingly stringent environmental requirements — without sacrificing productivity.
Hitachi — Our Official Partner in Armenia
Wayland Armenia is an authorized dealer of Hitachi Construction Machinery. Supply, warranty, service and spare parts.
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