China unveils its largest pure electric mining truck with 1,400 kWh batteries

China’s largest pure electric mining truck officially rolled off the assembly line last week. The ZL230E (formerly LK350E) is a 350-ton gross weight electric haul truck developed by Zijin Longking for continuous open-pit mining operations. With a 230-ton payload capacity and a 125-cubic-meter cargo box, this massive vehicle combines high-capacity haulage with a zero-emission design built to handle the most demanding mine environments. Through a partnership with Australian autonomous mining developer EACON, the ZL230E fuses heavy electric hardware with autonomous intelligence. The vehicle boosts transport efficiency, slashes operating costs, and advances sustainable green mining practices through its low energy consumption, high reliability, and easy maintenance. “This new vehicle is a powerful tool tailor-made for high-intensity continuous operations in ultra-large open-pit mines,” said Huang Wei, president of Zijinlongjing. Powerful battery pack Large open-pit mining operations rank among the most carbon-intensive industrial activities, mainly because heavy-tonnage haul trucks consume massive quantities of diesel. That’s why battery electric trucks are important. Underneath its high-rigidity frame lies a multi-axle, centrally distributed independent drive architecture powered by dual 800 kW motors. The powertrain matches energy output in real time. It powers up steep mountain inclines without losing momentum. Batteries make or break heavy machinery. Reportedly, the ZL230E houses a colossal 1,400 kWh battery pack. Its long-life, superchargeable battery system rapidly charges to 90 percent in just 25 minutes, minimizing downtime and maximizing overall operational efficiency. Built to handle high-intensity mining conditions, the ZL230E features a patented high-rigidity frame, dual-control chassis design, intelligent energy management, and redundant braking and steering systems. The truck integrates EACON’s cloud-based dispatch, perception, and decision-making technology stack. The result is a fully driverless, zero-emission haulage machine designed for China’s harsh open-pit operations. This integrated technology framework provides comprehensive safety protection across the entire vehicle for stable and secure mine operations. Battery-electric truck expansion Driven by its “dual-carbon” strategy, Zijin Mining expanded its electric mining truck fleet from 13 units in 2020 to 1,719 in 2025, targeting a full transition from diesel to electric within three years. Supporting this transition, Zijin Longjing delivered its first 15 pure electric 150-ton mining trucks to the Julong Copper Mine, achieving an uptime rate above 90 percent, daily haulage over 2,000 tons, and a 17 percent drop in energy consumption. Furthermore, the company plans to pair its electric fleet with wind, solar, and energy storage infrastructure to deliver fully integrated, low-cost green energy solutions for mining operations. Su Zimeng, president of the China Construction Machinery Association, stated the ZL230E rollout as a clear demonstration of China’s advancements in technological innovation and industrial upgrading within the construction machinery sector. The ZL230E rollout took place during an investment promotion event highlighting the “Mining + Intelligent Manufacturing” industry in Xinluo District. Several major global mining companies have recently deployed battery-electric and autonomous haul trucks across their open-pit operations. BHP and Rio Tinto have partnered with Caterpillar to trial Cat 793 XE battery-electric haul trucks at the Jimblebar iron ore mine in Western Australia’s Pilbara region. It evaluated both static and in-motion dynamic charging systems under extreme operating conditions. In parallel, Rio Tinto is trialing a battery-swap electric haulage fleet at the Oyu Tolgoi copper mine in Mongolia, testing rapid battery replacement to minimize downtime and advance zero-emission mining operations. Get the latest in engineering, tech, space & science - delivered daily to your inbox.Mrigakshi is a science journalist who enjoys writing about space exploration, biology, and technological innovations. Her work has been featured in well-known publications including Nature India, Supercluster, The Weather Channel and Astronomy magazine. If you have pitches in mind, please do not hesitate to email her.