A battery-electric HiLux double cab ute prototype will be trialled at BHP’s Port Hedland operations in Western Australia.
The trial is part of Toyota Australia and BHP’s new partnership. The ute will be used in a range of applications traditionally performed by diesel-powered light vehicles.
The trial will run for about 12 months from late November 2024, with BHP providing feedback to Toyota after the trial’s conclusion.
Toyota Australia President and CEO, Matthew Callachor, said the trial marked an exciting opportunity for both companies and was a significant milestone in the HiLux’s history.
“Toyota has long advocated a multi-pathway approach towards decarbonisation, and when we do something, we want to make sure we do it right.”
Mr Callachor said that joining BHP to help further develop the HiLux BEV prototype is an important step in developing low-emission technologies for light commercial vehicles, particularly for use in harsh and demanding mining environments.
“This trial is also a demonstration of the commitment shown by both parties to the memorandum of understanding signed last year, which leverages the strengths of both companies to develop new, safe and exciting technologies to address decarbonisation,” he said.
BHP President Australia, Geraldine Slattery, said BHP was thrilled to trial the first-ever battery-electric HiLux in an environment where safety and reliability are essential.
“Our ambition to electrify our light vehicle fleet and lower greenhouse gas emissions across our operations depends on enabling technology that can only be achieved through collaborations like this, with leading suppliers like Toyota,” Ms Slattery said.
“With around 5,000 light vehicles at our sites across Australia, we look forward to putting the Battery Electric HiLux through its paces and seeing the potential it can bring, not only to reduce diesel use in mining but eventually for all HiLux drivers too.”
BHP Group Procurement Officer, Rashpal Bhatti, said the partnership with Toyota was a terrific example of working with major suppliers to achieve better outcomes.
“The path to decarbonising our operations is one we cannot walk alone. To accelerate the development of new technologies, we are collaborating with original equipment manufacturers and stakeholders in the industry,.
“Our work with Toyota highlights our shared commitment to developing solutions that ultimately make the world a safer and more sustainable place to live and work,” Mr Bhatti said.
BHP’s Port Hedland operation is Australia’s largest iron ore loading port and one of the largest in the world.
The BHP trial follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) by the two companies in August 2023, with the stated aim of working together to further decarbonisation measures within BHP’s Australian operations.
The MoU will see BHP and Toyota Australia collaborate in safety, engineering and product development, focusing on light vehicle design and the potential and challenges of future technologies.
