Posted by Paul Moore on sixth November 2024
Toyota Australia and BHP lately introduced a trial of the first-ever Battery Electrical HiLux double cab ute prototype. The trial of the electrical HiLux double cab will see it deployed at BHP’s Port Hedland operations in Western Australia the place will probably be utilized in a spread of functions historically carried out by diesel-powered gentle automobiles.
Beginning in late November, the trial will run for about 12 months, with BHP to supply suggestions to Toyota after the conclusion of the trial.
Toyota Australia President and CEO Matthew Callachor mentioned the trial marked an thrilling alternative for each firms and was a major milestone within the HiLux’s historical past. “Toyota has lengthy advocated a multi-pathway strategy in the direction of decarbonisation, and once we do one thing, we wish to be sure we do it proper,” Callachor mentioned.
“Becoming a member of with BHP to assist additional develop this HiLux BEV prototype is a crucial step in creating low-emission applied sciences within the gentle business automobile house, significantly to be used in harsh and demanding mining environments. This trial can also be an indication of the dedication proven by each events to the Memorandum of Understanding signed final yr, which leverages the strengths of each firms to develop new, secure and thrilling applied sciences to deal with decarbonisation,” he mentioned.
BHP President Australia, Geraldine Slattery, mentioned BHP was thrilled to trial the first-ever Battery Electrical HiLux in an surroundings the place security and reliability are important. “Our ambition to impress our gentle automobile fleet and decrease greenhouse gasoline emissions throughout our operations is determined by enabling expertise that may solely be achieved via collaborations like this, with main suppliers like Toyota,” Slattery mentioned.
“With round 5,000 gentle automobiles at our websites throughout Australia, we sit up for placing the Battery Electrical HiLux via its paces and seeing the potential it might probably deliver, not solely to cut back diesel use in mining however ultimately for all HiLux drivers too,” she mentioned.
BHP Group Procurement Officer, Rashpal Bhatti, mentioned the partnership with Toyota was a terrific instance of working with main suppliers to attain higher outcomes.
“The trail to decarbonising our operations is one we can’t stroll alone. To speed up the event of recent applied sciences, we’re collaborating with unique tools producers and stakeholders within the trade,” Bhatti mentioned. “Our work with Toyota highlights our shared dedication to growing options that in the end make the world a safer and extra sustainable place to stay and work.” BHP’s Port Hedland operation is the most important iron ore loading port in Australia, and one of many largest on this planet.
The BHP trial follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by the 2 firms in August 2023, with the acknowledged purpose of working collectively to additional decarbonisation measures inside BHP’s Australian operations. The MoU goals to see BHP and Toyota Australia collaborate on the areas of security, engineering and product improvement, with a specific give attention to gentle automobile design and the potential and challenges of future applied sciences
