Following FMG’s acquisition of WAE – FMG and Liebherr announced they were forming a partnership, with the intention of developing and supplying green mining trucks as a step towards decarbonising the mining sector.
Key to this partnership is Liebherr’s ability to work in conjunction with WAE and FFI to develop electric battery and fuel cell systems that will be integrated into Liebherr’s T 264 mining trucks. WAE’s extensive expertise in developing energy storage solutions for a wide range of sectors – including the automotive, aerospace, defence, and off highway vehicle industries – will be crucial in ensuring that this project is a success.
Dave Rawlins, head of engineering technology, WAE said: “We are delighted to be working on a strategic partnership with Liebherr to integrate zero emission drive systems into Liebherr products. This partnership will enable customers, including FMG, to move towards net zero emissions through delivery and management of drive solutions across the complete product lifecycle.”
Bryant Ward, managing director, Liebherr’s Newport News factory said: “Working with the WAE team has been a fantastic experience. The teams between WAE and Liebherr work very well together and truly operate as one team.
“Liebherr working with WAE helps to rapidly expand our development capabilities and accelerate bringing products to market. Also, bringing the electrical energy specialists together with the truck specialists enables us to produce a high quality and high-performance product for the mining industry.”
Liebherr’s partnership with both WAE and FMG became a key part of Liebherr’s Zero Emission Mining Program. Liebherr’s trolley trucks and electric mining excavators already provide low and zero emission solutions for customers. However, Liebherr is continuing to work within the Zero Emission Mining Program so that they can provide complete mining solutions for dozing, loading, and hauling – free of fossil fuels – by 2030.
Liebherr says that working with Tier 1 companies like WAE and FMG will ensure that the deadline of 2030 is met and that these solutions will lead the industry in both technological innovation and cost efficiency.