- A 350-ton electric mining truck just rolled off a Chinese production line
- Zijin Longking ZL230E’s battery holds 1,400 kWh, enough to power dozens of typical homes
- It charges from 10% to 90% in about 25 minutes
Zijin Longking has launched the ZL230E, a pure electric mining truck the company describes as the largest of its kind currently produced in China.
The company says the new mining rig combines heavy transport capability with a battery system designed for faster charging cycles.
Weighing 350 tons in total, with a curb weight of 120 tons and a load capacity of 230 tons, it suits ultra-large open-pit mines.
The ZL230E cargo box offers a stacking volume of 125m³, allowing operators to move larger quantities of materials across mine sites.
It uses a multi-axle central distributed independent drive structure with dual 800kW motors for power delivery, a system which allows the vehicle to adjust power distribution while operating on difficult terrain and steep mining routes.
Longking says the electric truck can support continuous heavy-duty work while reducing energy consumption during transportation activities.
“This new vehicle is a powerful tool designed for high-intensity continuous operations in ultra-large open-pit mines,” said Huang Wei, president of Longking.
The ZL230E relies on a 1,400 kWh battery pack, making it one of the largest battery-powered mining vehicles available with more capacity than 23 Tesla Model 3 EV units.
Zijin Longking claims that this battery supports rapid charging from 10% to 90% in 25 minutes.
Such charging capability reduces downtime and allows mining operations to maintain higher levels of equipment availability.
The vehicle includes several safety technologies designed for demanding mining environments, including a patented multi-ring beam high-rigidity frame design with redundant braking and steering systems.
China Construction Machinery Association president Su Zimeng said the vehicle reflects continued progress in domestic large-tonnage electric mining equipment development.
Zijin Mining has expanded its electric mining truck fleet from 13 units in 2020 to 1,719 units in 2025, aiming to replace fuel-powered models within three years under its carbon reduction strategy.
Earlier in 2026, Longking delivered 15 pure electric mining trucks with 150-ton load capacity to Julong Copper Mine, achieving over 2,000 tons daily transport with 17% lower energy consumption compared to conventional trucks.
“We are accelerating the development of new energy mining equipment through independent research and innovation,” said Xie Xiongwei, vice president of Zijin Mining and chairman of Zijin Longking. The company plans to integrate electric trucks with renewable power sources, energy storage, and charging infrastructure.
