Victorian based electric vehicle specialist SEA Electric is partner with Europe’s Mevco in a landmark $1 billion deal to supply 8,500 electrified Toyota Hilux and Lancruiser vehicles to the mining industry.
The deal is the largest of its kind in Australia and quite possibly the world – and marks a significant shift to electrified transport for commercial vehicles in Australia’s mining industry.
The commitment by the two companies is to convert the 8,m500 Hilux and Landcruiser vehicles in five years. They say that more than half of the 2023 allocation of the Australian-developed battery-electric vehicles have been pre-sold, and demonstration models available in Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.
The converted Hilux and Landcruiser models will include SEA Electric’s proprietary SEA-Drive power-system, providing leading all-electric range, driving performance with zero local emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, or nitrous oxide.
SEA Electric Hilux with Fully Electric SEA-Drive. Source: SEA Electric
The vehicles will come in 4×4 and 4×2 configurations and can be specified with two SEA-Drive options, an 88kWh battery providing 380km of range and a 60kWh battery delivering up to 260km. SEA says that the vehicles can be charged to 80% with DC fast charging.
Batteries will come with a five-year factory warranty and technology has been tested on over 2.5 million kilometers in eight countries.
The electric conversion market is now a major part of the electric vehicle industry, with another start-up Roev – founded by two former Atlassian executives – reporting a full initial order book for their plans to convert Hilux and Ranger utes for the Australian commercial market.
SEA, which has built a solid business providing electrified versions of trucks and delivery vans, says mining workers will benefit enormously from the all-electric upgrade because workers will no longer be exposed to the toxic fumes, noise and heat that is associated with diesel work utes.
“This is a pivotal partnership for the mining industry,” said Matt Cahir, the Mevco CEO.
“It enables the world’s leading EV technology for heavy and light commercial trucks to be commercialized on a scale that makes sense for the bespoke needs of the mining sector.”
“Across all industries, companies now understand they have a role to play in ensuring they are a part of the solution to the environmental problems we face,” said Tony Fairweather, SEA Electric Founder & CEO.
“With the SEA-Drive power-system, we have developed technology that is perfectly adaptable to a wide range of commercial vehicle tasks that have typically been the domain of diesel-powered engines.
“Through Mevco, the mining industry will now be able to access cutting-edge technology, which delivers top performance and total cost of ownership prospects, all with sustainability at the forefront.
“This deal is a significant step forward in Australia and shows just what is possible when it comes to electrifying the world’s fleets.”
Keyword: Australia’s SEA in $1 billion deal to electrify 8,500 Hilux and Landcruisers for miners