BHP has commenced a new Light Electric Vehicle (LEV) trial at the company’s Nickel West operations in Western Australia.
Edgar Basto, President, Minerals Australia, BHP said the trial is another step in the company’s ongoing studies into how emissions intensity of its light vehicle fleet can be reduced. The trial builds on BHP’s trials with other suppliers currently ongoing at Olympic Dam in South Australia and Broadmeadow in Queensland.
“Reducing our reliance on diesel at our operations will help achieve our medium-term target of reducing operational emissions by 30 per cent by 2030,” he said.
As part of the trial, a Toyota LandCruiser70 has been converted from running on diesel to fully electric via onboard battery power. It is expected to fulfil several roles on-site and operate in above ground and underground settings.
Eddy Haegel, Asset President, Nickel West, BHP said the company anticipates seeing a reduction in fuel and maintenance costs, in addition to a reduction in noise, heat, and diesel particulate matter.
“The battery in the Toyota EV Landcruiser also contains a high proportion of nickel. With Nickel West being both a battery raw material producer and consumer in the electric vehicle market, it is a terrific opportunity to support Toyota with their understanding and development of electric vehicles for the mining industry, whilst also reducing the carbon footprint from our own nickel operations,” Mr Haegel said.
