Fortescue's Hydrogen-Powered Haul Truck Prototype Arrives On-Site

The Journey and Arrival of Europa

Fortescue's hydrogen-powered haul truck prototype, dubbed "Europa," has successfully completed its 1,100-kilometer journey from Perth to the Pilbara region of Western Australia.

The truck arrived on-site at Fortescue's Christmas Creek mine on August 13th, marking a significant milestone in the development of hydrogen-powered mining equipment.

Europa is the first of its kind, representing a major step towards decarbonizing the mining industry and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The Importance of Hydrogen-Powered Mining

The mining industry is a major contributor to global carbon emissions, largely due to the use of diesel-powered equipment.

Hydrogen fuel cells offer a clean and sustainable alternative to diesel, producing only water as a byproduct.

The successful development and deployment of hydrogen-powered mining equipment will significantly reduce the industry's environmental impact.

Europa's Features and Capabilities

Europa is a modified version of Liebherr's T 264 haul truck.

It features a hydrogen fuel cell system that powers electric motors, providing a torque output equivalent to a diesel engine.

The truck has a payload capacity of 240 metric tons and a range of approximately 200 kilometers on a single hydrogen fill.

Next Steps for Europa

Europa will now undergo a comprehensive testing and evaluation program at Fortescue's Christmas Creek mine.

The testing will assess the truck's performance, reliability, and durability in real-world mining conditions.

Based on the results of the testing, Fortescue plans to deploy a fleet of hydrogen-powered haul trucks across its operations.