China’s mining equipment industry has unveiled another major step toward electrification with the launch of the Zijin Longking ZL230E, a battery-electric haul truck capable of carrying up to 230 tonnes of material.
Unveiled in Longyan City, Fujian Province, the ZL230E is designed for intensive, around-the-clock operation at ultra-large open-pit mines. With a 120-tonne net weight and a maximum gross vehicle weight of about 350 tonnes, it ranks among the largest battery-electric mining trucks developed in China.
The three-axle truck combines a massive battery pack, high-power electric motors and advanced drive technology to tackle long-haul routes, steep gradients and demanding mine-site conditions without relying on diesel fuel.
The ZL230E was developed by Zijin Longking, an equipment manufacturer controlled by Zijin, with the company targeting large-scale mining operations where high payload capacity and continuous availability are critical.
Its 125-cubic-meter heaped bucket can carry up to 230 tonnes of material. The truck is engineered for loaded uphill travel and long haul routes while maintaining high reliability and low energy consumption.
Power comes from two 800-kilowatt electric motors, with the multi-axle independent-drive system distributing power to the individual axles. The control system continuously adjusts torque and power output to maintain performance on gradients and in difficult operating conditions.
The truck is also equipped with a battery system with approximately 1,400 kWh of capacity. According to Zijin Longking, the high-capacity battery can be charged from 10% to 90% in about 25 minutes.
That rapid charging capability is particularly important for mining operations, where vehicle downtime can have a direct impact on productivity.
Designed for Heavy-Duty Mining Operations
Unlike conventional road-going electric vehicles, ultra-large mining trucks operate under some of the most demanding conditions imaginable. They regularly carry hundreds of tonnes of material, climb steep grades and operate continuously in dusty and rugged environments.
Zijin Longking has equipped the ZL230E with several systems intended to improve durability and safety. These include a patented high-rigidity frame, dual-control chassis, redundant braking and steering systems, and intelligent energy management.
The company says the combination is intended to protect the truck’s structure, powertrain, braking and steering systems while improving reliability and simplifying maintenance.
The ZL230E was also developed with autonomous operation in mind. Zijin Longking has partnered with Australian autonomous mining technology company EACON, combining its electric truck platform with EACON’s technology covering perception, decision-making, vehicle control and cloud-based fleet dispatch.
EACON currently operates more than 3,100 autonomous trucks across more than 40 large-scale mines, including Zijin Mining’s Zijinshan Gold-Copper Mine and Julong Copper Mine in China, as well as the Norton Gold Fields project in Australia.
Zijin Rapidly Expands Its Electric Mining Fleet
The ZL230E arrives as Zijin accelerates the transition from diesel-powered mining equipment to electric vehicles.
The company’s electric haul truck fleet grew from just 13 vehicles in 2020 to 1,719 in 2025, highlighting how quickly battery-electric equipment is moving into large-scale mining operations.
Zijin has also established a three-year action plan aimed at replacing conventional diesel haul trucks with electric alternatives. The goal is to reduce both carbon emissions and operating costs across its mining operations.
Earlier in 2026, Zijin Longking delivered 15 battery-electric haul trucks with 150-tonne payloads to the Julong Copper mining operation. The trucks have reportedly hauled more than 2,000 tonnes of material per day per vehicle while achieving availability above 90%.
According to the company, energy consumption has been more than 17% lower than comparable conventional models.
Electric Mining Trucks Could Become Part of Larger Clean-Energy Systems
Zijin Longking’s plans extend beyond replacing diesel trucks with battery-electric alternatives.
The company intends to integrate electric haul trucks with solar and wind power, energy storage systems, charging infrastructure and battery-swapping technology. Such an approach could allow mines to combine electric transportation with locally generated renewable energy.
For large open-pit mines, the potential benefits go beyond eliminating diesel fuel consumption. Electric trucks can reduce direct emissions at the mine, while lower energy and maintenance costs could improve the economics of high-volume material transport.
The ZL230E illustrates how far electric vehicle technology has expanded beyond passenger cars. With a 230-tonne payload, 1,400 kWh battery and 1.6 MW of combined motor power, it represents a very different scale of electrification.
As mining companies increasingly pursue lower-carbon operations, ultra-large battery-electric haul trucks could become an increasingly important part of the world’s transition toward cleaner industrial transportation.
