CPS Africa is entering the underground mine electrification arena with the help of Tembo 4×4 e-LV and its Electric Cruiser.

The Belgian branch of CFAO Automotive, CPS Africa says it has signed a deal with Tembo that will see it offer the battery-electric support vehicle to parts of the Africa market (those outside of South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe).

CPS said: “The challenges for the modern mining industry are clear: reducing health and safety risks in numerous mining sites, while gravely decreasing gaseous emissions – diesel particles in particular.

“The use of diesel-powered vehicles in the mining industry is rapidly decreasing, and now there is a safer and cleaner solution available: the Electric Cruiser developed by Tembo 4×4 e-LV based in the Netherlands.”

The Electric Cruiser is based on the Toyota Land Cruiser 70 series model, and is available as an all-wheel drive vehicle in several versions. The vehicle is equipped with a 110 kW electric motor with 250 Nm torque.

The temperature-controlled, modular and exchangeable battery provides a range of 80-100 km in proven underground use, according to Tembo.

“The battery is designed for a long service life of at least 8,000 charging cycles (80% depth of discharge) and charges from 20% to 80% in 1.5 hours,” the company said.

External infrastructure is not required, with a 22 kW charger on board the vehicle.

Tembo claims the Electric Cruiser reaches a maximum speed of 80 km/h and can negotiate inclines of up to 45°.

Some of the key findings early adopters of the Electric Cruiser experienced in Australia, Canada, Germany, Ireland and Sweden include low direct operating costs and substantially lower underground mining ventilation costs, CPS Africa said.

“As one of the market leaders in automotive distribution on the African continent, CPS Africa saw great potential for the Electric Cruiser and, from now on, these innovative electric off-road light duty vehicles are an essential part of their product portfolio,” the company said.

Strategically located in Antwerp, Belgium, CPS Africa says it can guarantee fast and reliable deliveries, being in proximity of the second busiest container port in Europe.