100 Autonomous Electric Mining Trucks Deployed in China

On May 15, a historic milestone in mining transportation was reached as the world’s first fleet of 100 autonomous, battery-electric mining trucks officially entered operation at the Huaneng Yimin open-pit coal mine in Hulunbuir, Inner Mongolia. Developed and delivered by XCMG, this marks the largest deployment of its kind globally.

The delivery ceremony, jointly hosted by Huaneng Group and XCMG, was attended by key industry leaders and government officials. Yang Dongsheng, Chairman of XCMG, highlighted the project as a successful cross-sector collaboration that brings together clean energy, intelligent equipment, and green technology—driving the mining industry toward a smarter, greener, and more automated future.

The ZNK95 trucks feature full autonomous driving capabilities, 5G connectivity, intelligent battery swapping, and integrated safety monitoring. Powered by photovoltaic-generated electricity, they offer zero-emission operations and are built to withstand extreme conditions, including continuous operation at temperatures as low as -40°C. The entire system has passed expert technical evaluation and is recognized as a world-leading solution.

With this rollout, the trucks now operate across three full shifts daily. Battery swapping takes just six minutes, and overall efficiency is 20% higher than traditional manned operations. The project sets a new benchmark for building safe, efficient, intelligent, and carbon-neutral mining environments.

According to Huaneng, the solution was developed entirely in China and represents a breakthrough in domestic innovation, reducing reliance on imported core components for large-scale mining equipment. It stands as a scalable model for upgrading traditional mining with intelligent, low-carbon technologies.

At the launch event, senior representatives from government, industry associations, and technology partners jointly activated the system to officially mark the start of operations. Guests also witnessed a live demonstration of the vehicles in action, offering a firsthand look at the transformative power of smart machinery in reshaping the future of mining.

The “Huaneng Ruichi” fleet of autonomous battery-electric mining trucks is now making a significant impact—not just in technology, but also in sustainability. Each year, the 100-unit fleet is expected to replace over 15,000 tons of diesel fuel and cut carbon dioxide emissions by 48,000 tons, underscoring its strong environmental advantages.

As the global mining industry accelerates its shift toward cleaner, smarter, and driverless operations, XCMG is leading the charge in modernizing mining equipment. According to Chairman Yang Dongsheng, the company is driving progress by leveraging digital tools to optimize operations, smart technologies to redefine industry value, and green solutions to support sustainable development. XCMG is committed to collaborating with industry partners to push toward global leadership in mining equipment and to deliver scalable, innovative “China solutions” for building intelligent, low-carbon mines worldwide.

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