Tag Archives: Motics

QME, Xerotech and Motics develop ‘plug and play’ battery-electric vehicle kits

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.

Xerotech to test underground mine electrification limits as part of SUBSPACE ENERGY HUB

Xerotech, a leader of battery technology for heavy-duty non-road mobile machinery (NRMM), has announced a partnership with Switzerland-based VSH (VersuchsStollen Hagerbach – Hagerbach Test Gallery) and other founding members, Amberg Group, Normet, Motics, Alumina and Fortescue Future Industries in the creation of a Sub Space Energy Hub.

This development allows Xerotech to partner with VSH’s leadership in underground mining to fast-track the potential of underground mining electrification and work with other companies and thought leaders in this space, it says.

The new SUBSPACE ENERGY HUB at VSH in Switzerland offers the ideal platform for the harmonised development, prototyping and installation of new technologies that promote best practice in sustainable energy use and storage, combining both above and underground facilities, according to the partners.

Dr Barry Flannery, CEO of Xerotech, said: “This facility provides a platform to continue pushing the boundaries of our next-generation battery technology as we continue to break the limitations of what is possible in terms of NRMM electrification. This will rapidly benefit our customers who are under increasing pressure to find viable ways to electrify vehicles that at one point were thought to be too big or difficult to convert to electric.”

Michael Kompatscher, General Manager at Hagerbach Test Gallery Ltd, said: “Together with the partners like Xerotech, VSH will be transformed into a visionary sustainable and CO2 neutral underground infrastructure where construction and operation of underground space usage will be developed, prototyped and launched. This will be a model ecosystem of sustainable energy storage and delivery, above and below ground, and how it supports green energy use in future cities.”