Lloyds electrifies 650‑ton Liebherr R 996 excavator
SkimNews Take
Converting existing mining equipment to electric offers a faster path to decarbonization than waiting for new electric models, given the immense capital costs and long lifespans of these specialized machines.
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- Lloyds Metals and Energy completed the first in‑house diesel‑to‑electric conversion of a 650‑ton Liebherr R 996 excavator, redesigning its power, control and safety systems.
- Liebherr had previously offered diesel‑to‑electric conversion kits for its ultra‑massive excavators, debuting a converted R 9400 at Frotescue’s Christmas Creek mine in Western Australia in 2024.
- B. Prabhakaran said the electric R 996 will eliminate thousands of tons of CO₂ each year and cut operational costs, supporting India’s “Make in India” push for domestic high‑tech manufacturing.
- Electrek notes that heavy‑duty electric mining equipment, such as Caterpillar’s 240‑ton haul truck, can offset $850,000 in annual diesel fuel per 150‑ton truck, highlighting the financial incentive for electrification.
- IDTechEx estimates a 150‑ton haul truck can spend over $850k on fuel annually, underscoring the potential cost savings for operators adopting electric excavators like Lloyds’ R 996.
Why it matters: Mining firms using the electric R 996 could save up to $850,000 a year in diesel costs while cutting thousands of tons of CO₂, boosting profitability and accelerating India’s domestic clean‑tech manufacturing.
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