Toyota Australia has announced a local electric-vehicle pilot trial with Australia’s leading resources company, BHP. The small-scale trial involves a LandCruiser 70 Series single-cab ute that has been converted to a battery-electric vehicle by Toyota Australia’s Product Planning and Development division in Port Melbourne.

The converted vehicle – equipped for underground mine use – will operate under full battery power and will not require any fuel to run. The trial will take place at a BHP Nickel West mine in Western Australia.

Toyota Australia’s President and CEO Matthew Callachor said the trial is another step Toyota is taking as part of its bigger picture of a zero emissions future. “BHP and Toyota have demonstrated a strong relationship throughout the last 20 years, and this project is a great testament to how we can both work together as leading companies in our respective industries to change the future,” Callachor said.

Edgar Basto, President, Minerals Australia, BHP said: “This partnership is another step in our ongoing studies into how we can reduce the emissions intensity of our light-vehicle fleet. Reducing our reliance on diesel at our operations will help achieve our medium-term target of reducing operational emissions by 30% by 2030.”