Big order confirmed for Zero mine EVs


Staff reporter

Electric vehicle leasing and rental company CarBon Leasing & Rentals will start taking delivery of 200 of South Australia-based Zero Automotive’s second-generation ZED70 Ti battery-electric utilities for mines in the fourth quarter next year. Underground mining contractor Barminco has meanwhile signed up to buy the first of the new ZED70 Ti model.

Based on a Toyota LandCruiser 79 Series, the ZED70 Ti has a Toshiba 60kWh lithium titanate oxide (LTO) battery said to retain more than 70% capacity after 20,000 cycles. Its 200kW asynchronous electric motor generates peak torque of 1,200Nm, according to five-year-old Zero.

“The architecture features 22kW level two onboard fast-charging and is enabled for level three DC ultra-fast charging which with a 160kW charger results in a charging time of less than 25 minutes,” Zero says.

The company delivered a first-generation ZED70 Ti earlier this year to Barminco, part of ASX-listed Perenti, for use at IGO’s Nova nickel-copper-cobalt mine in Western Australia.

“Mining operations across Australia are facing increasing pressure to transition their fleets to meet ESG targets and the Zero ZED70 Ti represents a new opportunity to do this in the light commercial space,” Scott Gillespie, the CEO of WA-based CarBon Leasing & Rentals, said.

“We’ve already received a great deal of interest and look forward to deploying these innovative EVs next year to a range of customers.”

Zero said its mine EV design featured its proprietary hazardous environment protection system (HEPS), underbody armour said to improve robustness and safety of the vehicle’s chassis in underground applications.

“We know that vehicle life span is a determining factor when it comes to fleet choices for the underground mining sector, the benefits offered via our innovative partnership with CarBon coupled with our HEPS solution, is the perfect example of how responsible business practices and economic success can be achieved,” Zero CEO Joe Di Santo said.

“Ultimately, the goal for Zero Automotive is to become a leader in electrified vehicle drivelines, which is why we are working with trusted industry partners such as … LTO battery supplier Toshiba.”

 

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