Canadian mobile equipment maker MacLean Engineering has revealed a study into BEV usage versus diesel engines that revealed significant cost savings, environmental progress and safety benefits.
The study used real operational data to track 14 EV and diesel units over a period of 12 months, covering a distance of some 20,000km.
The trial revealed diesel cost savings of C$1.78 million (US$1.4 million), a C$29.4 million saving in CFM costs. It also found BEVs provided 56 extra days of availability.
Anthony Griffiths, product manager of the Fleet Electrification Mining Division at MacLean Engineering, said that when set against a diesel engine, the BEVs were 12 minutes faster per run, resulting in five more complete runs in two 10-hour shifts.
The EV unit also required 88% less energy for the same two 10-hour shifts, reaching a cost price of C$0.12 per kilowatt.
The trial showed that using batter electric engines in this case displaced up to 5,000 litres of diesel, The regenerative option use also meant that a quarter of the electricity used came in a $0.00 cost.
"This study showed that with BEVs you get your diesel savings, your ventilation savings, your fleet availability and maintenance savings, but a lot of the other benefits can't just be put into a speadsheet and calculated," said Griffiths.
"For instance, there is the positive effect of eliminating the heat, noise and vibration caused by diesel engines underground on workplace health and GHG impacts.
"There is a massive push to go green and whether we turn to wind, solar or nuclear, the world is going to need a lot more metals. It's good for mining, but the companies that do it responsibly and efficiently, protecting their workers and indigenous rights, will go a long way - and EVs are going to help us get there," said Griffiths.
MacLean Engineering also noted plans to release new two BEV models over the next year at CIM 2022 in Vancouver.
The company will launch an EV GR5 grader in the fourth quarter of this year, and an EV forklift in the second quarter of 2023.
