Scania and LKAB have expanded their partnership to advance the electrification of mining transport. A fully electric 8×4 heavy tipper featuring two steerable front axles has commenced operations at LKAB’s Malmberget mine in northern Sweden. This marks a global first for Scania regarding this specific chassis configuration.
Highlights
- First of its kind: Scania’s first electric truck equipped with two steerable front axles.
- Heavy payload: Features a gross weight of 60 metric tons with a 38-tonne payload.
- High power: Equipped with 416 kWh installed battery capacity and a 400 kW motor.
- Challenging route: Operates on a 5-kilometer route with a 250-meter elevation gain.
Engineering the 8×4 Heavy Tipper
The vehicle, nicknamed “Sleipner,” utilizes Scania’s modular electric platform. It is designed to provide increased load capacity and stability on difficult mine terrain. This unit represents Scania’s first electric truck equipped with two steerable front axles.
The configuration addresses the complex challenges of heavy transport in mining environments. It serves as a direct replacement for traditional internal combustion equivalents.
“If it performs as expected, we will have a fully fossil-free solution for transporting waste rock in truly demanding mining operations,” said Peter Gustavsson, Project Manager for Electrification of Mobile Machines at LKAB.
Operational Specifications and Performance
The truck is tasked with transporting waste rock from a chute loading station to a backfilling site at Tingvallskulle. This route spans approximately 5 kilometers and includes an elevation gain of 250 meters.
LKAB transports over 5 million metric tons of waste rock annually. Transitioning to electric transport offers significant potential for carbon dioxide reduction. The vehicle’s technical specifications include:
- Gross Weight: 60 metric tons
- Payload Capacity: 38 metric tons
- Battery System: Two MP20 battery packs (416 kWh total installed capacity)
- Powertrain: 400 kW EM C 1-4 electric motor
Advancing Heavy Electric Transport
This deployment follows the successful operation of a fully electric Scania 6×4 heavy tipper at Malmberget since 2022. LKAB and Scania utilize these real-world conditions to test and refine electrified solutions.
Tony Sandberg, Head of Scania Pilot Partner, emphasized the value of these collaborations. He noted that such partnerships are essential for learning how to scale electrification across tough environments.
“This vehicle is just the start of many more mining solutions to come,” Sandberg concluded.
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