ZERO Automotive, a specialist in electric light vehicles for the mining industry, has launched the ZED70 Ti, a second-generation Toyota LandCruiser 79 Series-based vehicle with 50 per cent greater power and quick charging in under 30 minutes.
Barminco, one of the world’s largest hard rock underground mining services companies, has signed on as the model’s first customer, while CarBon Leasing & Rentals, Australia’s leading zero emissions leasing company, has confirmed an order for 200 ZED70 Ti’s to be added to its leasing roster beginning in the fourth quarter of 2024.
According to Scott Gillespie, CEO of CarBon Leasing & Rentals, mining enterprises across Australia are under growing pressure to transform their fleets to achieve ESG standards, and the Zero ZED70 Ti provides a new opportunity to do so in the light commercial arena.
“We’ve already received a great deal of interest and look forward to deploying these innovative EVs next year to a range of customers,” he said.
The design incorporates ZERO’s proprietary HEPS (Hazardous Environment Protection System) underbody armour protection, which will significantly boost the vehicle’s chassis’ longevity and safety in subterranean applications.
HEPS will also be offered as an update for existing diesel-powered cars, ZERO Automotive revealed.
The ZED70 Ti’s engine is powered by a Toshiba 60kWh Lithium Titanate Oxide (LTO) drive battery, which maintains over 70 per cent of its capacity after 20,000 cycles of continuous usage.
The architecture supports Level 3 DC ultra-fast charging and 22kW Level 2 onboard fast charging, resulting in a charging time of under 25 minutes when using a 160kW charger.
The three-phase asynchronous electric motor offers regenerative braking, a 200kW peak power, and a 1,200Nm peak torque.
Meanwhile, ZERO Automotive has just appointed zero-emissions car industry expert Joe Di Santo as its new CEO, demonstrating the company’s commitment to the market.
“Across the board, mining companies have a desire to lower their environmental impact, ZERO Automotive has been working side by side with many in the industry to provide a solution that caters to the very specific needs of underground mining,” said Di Santo.
Ultimately, he stated that ZERO Automotive wants to establish itself as a pioneer in electrified vehicle drivelines, which is why the company is collaborating with business associates like Toshiba, a supplier of Lithium Titanate Oxide (LTO) batteries for ZERO, in order to keep creating high-calibre products that will enhance mining sustainability.
Furthermore, the company revealed that the ground-breaking partnership between ZERO and CarBon represents an important milestone in helping the mining sector achieve its zero-emission targets while also maximising return on investment.
“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,” Di Santo explained.
