AToyota Australia and BHP have announced a trial of a prototype Hilux double cab battery electric vehicle BEV.
The Hilux BEV will be trialled at BHP’s Port Hedland operations in Western Australia.
It will be used in various applications traditionally performed by diesel-powered light vehicles.
Starting in late November, the trial will run for about 12 months, with BHP to provide feedback to Toyota after the trial is concluded.
Toyota Australia president and chief executive 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,” Callachor said.
“Joining with BHP to help further develop this prototype Hilux BEV is an important step in creating low-emission technologies in the light commercial vehicle space, mainly 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 Australia president Geraldine Slattery said BHP was thrilled to try the Hilux BEV in an environment where safety and reliability are essential.
“Our ambition is to electrify our light vehicle fleet and lower greenhouse gas emissions across our operations depend on enabling technology that can only be achieved through collaborations like this with suppliers like Toyota,” Slattery said.
“With around 5000 light vehicles at our sites across Australia, we look forward to putting the Hilux BEV 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,” she said.
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,” Bhatti said.
“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,” he said.
BHP’s Port Hedland operation is the largest iron ore loading port in Australia, 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 aims to 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.
