BHP trials first battery-electric Toyota HiLux at Port Hedland

Mining giant BHP is starting to switch away from diesel power to electric as it moves to decarbonise its vast operations.

From next month, the company will deploy its first Toyota battery electric HiLux double cab at the Port Hedland iron ore loading port in WA for a 12-month trial.

The trial will test the EV in a range of applications traditionally performed by the miner’s diesel-powered light vehicles.

Toyota Australia president and chief executive Matthew Callachor said the trial marked a milestone moment in the iconic Japanese car company’s technological innovation.

“Toyota has long advocated a multi-pathway approach towards decarbonisation and when we do something, we want to make sure we do it right,” he said on Tuesday.

“Joining with BHP to help further develop this HiLux BEV prototype is an important step in creating low-emission technologies in the light commercial vehicle space, particularly for use in harsh and demanding mining environments.”

In August 2023, BHP and Toyota signed a memorandum of understanding to electrify the mining giant’s fleet of 5000 vehicles.

At present, the company’s mine sites host predominantly diesel-powered Toyota LandCruisers and HiLuxes

The commodities behemoth is also embedding electric haul trucks at its sites through partnerships with Caterpillar and Komatsu and electric locomotives with Wabtec and Progress Rail.

BHP president Australia Geraldine Slattery said the trial would test the vehicle for safety and reliability.

“Our ambition to electrify our light vehicle fleet and lower greenhouse gas emissions across our operations depends on enabling technology that can only be achieved through collaborations like this, with leading suppliers like Toyota,” she said.

“With around 5000 light vehicles at our sites across Australia, we look forward to putting the battery electric HiLux through its paces and seeing the potential it can bring, not only to reduce diesel use in mining but eventually for all HiLux drivers too.”

BHP is pursuing a 30 per cent reduction in operational emissions by 2030.