Anglo American’s New Hydrogen-Powered Truck Is Three Stories Tall And Can Haul 290 Tons Of Ore

If you believe bigger is better, you’re in luck as Anglo American has unveiled the world’s largest hydrogen-powered mine haul truck.

Measuring three stories tall and weighing 200 tons empty, the prototype is equipped with a truly massive hydrogen fuel cell and lithium-ion battery powertrain designed and built by First Mode.

The companies didn’t reveal much about the powertrain, but said it features a 1.2 MWh battery pack, eight fuel cells, and a total output of 2,682 hp (2,000 kW / 2,719 PS). The nuGen truck also boasts multiple electric motors, regenerative braking, and the ability to carry up to 290 tons of ore.

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The vehicle took less than three years to create and is based on a diesel-powered model, which would typically consume 237,755 gallons (900,000 liters) of fuel every year. However, thanks to its new eco-friendly powertrain, it will be keeping “700 cars’ worth of carbon dioxide emissions out of the atmosphere.”

Anglo American Chief Executive Duncan Wanblad said, “Over the next several years, we envisage converting or replacing our current fleet of diesel-powered trucks with this zero-emission haulage system, fueled with green hydrogen. If this pilot is successful, we could remove up to 80% of diesel emissions at our open pit mines by rolling this technology across our global fleet.”

While the vehicle is a prototype, the company already has plans to retrofit 40 diesel-powered trucks to hydrogen at their Mogalakwena site as part of their nuGen project. Afterwards, Anglo American plans to roll out hydrogen power to their global fleet of around 400 trucks.