Indigenous BH35-2 EV Marks a Shift in India’s Mining Equipment Sector

The Indian mining sector is gradually transitioning towards adopting electric-powered and reduced CO2 emissions among heavy duty vehicles; one of the examples being the BEML BH35-2 Electric Dump Truck designed specifically for the mining industry at the present time this vehicle operates solely on electric power.

Purpose-Built Design for Mining Operations

Designed for constant haulage in mining operations, the BH35-2 EV is an electric vehicle that is emission free and operates more quietly than traditional diesel powered trucks. The BH35-2 Electric Truck has the ability to carry the same load capacity of a typical diesel dump truck as long as it is loaded fully.

Cost and Maintenance Profile

Electric mining trucks have ushered in a new type of cost accounting. There is an increase in the purchase price when looking at the upfront costs associated with an electric vehicle as opposed to its diesel equivalent but because they consume less fuel, their operating costs will actually decrease compared to diesel mining trucks. The other aspect is that electric mining trucks have much lower maintenance costs because there is less mechanical wear & tear on them when used in the same way as a diesel truck.

Infrastructure and Deployment Challenges

To successfully implement the BH35-2 electric vehicle, there must first be an available, dependable source of power for charging its batteries while operating within a mine. Depending on location or distance to a power source (in areas where no electricity is in close proximity), any remote mine site may potentially have challenges related to charging stations that do not provide sufficient electrical energy for the battery recharge requirements. Also, one must have batteries that can take severe temperatures when they operate under those very same conditions.

Outlook

The BH35–2 Electric Vehicle illustrates that India is moving ahead by upgrading old-fashioned mining machinery to modern-style machinery. While the BH35–2 does not completely replace diesel mining machinery with electric mining machinery, it does show a movement toward locally made electric mining vehicles.