Mining services provider QME says it has partnered with Xerotech and Motics to develop new electric vehicle “plug and play” battery kits for all medium and light underground mining vehicles.

This EV transformation, which also includes the renowned Toyota Landcruiser model, represents a huge advance towards reducing the carbon footprint traditionally associated with mining, QME said.

“The concept behind our offering is to retain as much value as possible from existing resources, products, parts and materials to create a system that allows for long life, optimal reuse, refurbishment, remanufacturing and recycling,” it added.

The County Meath-based company has completed hundreds of development and testing hours to perfect this new generation electric-powered Toyota Landcruiser, working in tandem with Xerotech and Motics. QME will now begin the integration of these new technologies into its underground fleet in ongoing development projects in Ireland and Portugal, it says.

The kits will use Xerotech’s patented technology, Xerotherm®, which represents a complete step-change in safety and performance of battery systems, according to QME, with the thermal management and safety technology one of the best technical solutions in the world.

Motics, chosen as a partner due to its ongoing association with global OEMs, “ePowerone” system sets new standards in the development of battery-electric vehicles, QME said. The modular design allows new components to be integrated quickly, thereby allowing innovations to be incorporated without having to adapt the interfaces on the vehicle. All vehicles using the platform benefit from a supply chain with second-source strategies, fast system integration and reliability thanks to broad-based experience, it added.

QME says it is the only Irish company who can offer this new electrified version of the Toyota HJ79 Landcruiser, which has successfully completed trials, with the first of the new generation EV machines already available to order.