Hitachi Construction Machinery and ABB to collaborate on full battery dump truck

Hitachi Construction Machinery and ABB have signed a collaboration agreement to develop an engineless, full battery rigid frame dump truck with a customized on-board energy storage system in order to reduce gas emissions.

By means of ABB’s innovative battery technology, Hitachi Construction Machinery trucks can be transformed from diesel to full electric battery operation. The dump trucks will operate by utilizing a new onboard electrification system – drawing its energy requirements from an energy supply system with dynamic charging, allowing simultaneous charging of the on-board energy storage system while providing energy to power the truck. 

The system will provide extended battery longevity by reducing the load and discharge during each haul cycle, offering a cost-efficient industry solution that allows continuous operation so as to maintain the high productivity and performance the industry has come to expect from Hitachi Construction Machinery products.

Hitachi and ABB, the MoU signed in March

Back in March 2021, Hitachi Construction Machinery and ABB signed a memorandum of understanding to build a partnership aimed at realizing net zero emissions. This joint development is the first project where the two companies will apply their complementary skills to achieve this goal. 

ABB will develop the on-board energy storage systems by customizing an existing product and Hitachi Construction Machinery will lead the overall design and development of the dynamic charging battery dump truck utilizing the technology of its existing rigid dump truck with trolley as its base, effectively allowing the accelerated development of this solution.

Reduced volume of batteries on the trucks

By drawing the electrical power from the dynamic charging system required during operation will limit the volume of batteries on the trucks, providing a sustainable solution. In addition, the system aims to reduce the lifecycle costs by drawing electrical power from the overhead system while connected, simultaneously charging the battery in an appropriate manner to reduce the load and depth of discharge, maximizing battery life.

Furthermore, limiting the battery volume lessens the weight of the battery solution on the vehicle, maximizing the battery dump truck’s payload capacity.