Electric and hydrogen truck trials are being launched as the mining industry seeks to reduce emissions.

The push to reduce emissions in Australia’s mining industry is gaining momentum with the rollout of large-scale electric and hydrogen truck trials, intensifying the search for the most effective solution.

Electrical engineer Clayton Franklin has experience in both fields. He previously worked on a 220-tonne hydrogen battery hybrid mining truck for Fortescue Metals Group, led by billionaire Andrew Forrest. However, since founding Electric Power Conversions Australia in 2021, Franklin has focused on his own projects. He spent five months and $2.5 million converting a 160-tonne Caterpillar 777, a common haul truck in Australia’s mining sector, from diesel to electric.

This month, as Fortescue’s hydrogen-powered T 264 prototype truck began testing in the Pilbara, Franklin was showcasing the advantages of his electric truck to delegates at the Diggers and Dealers Mining Forum in Kalgoorlie-Boulder.