A Toyota HiLux BEV Ute will be under trial for 12 months in the mining industry with BHP to provide feedback on real-world use
Toyota Australia and BHP have combined to trial the first Battery Electric HiLux double cab Ute over the next 12 months to gauge its abilities pre-release.
The trial of the electric HiLux double cab will take place at BHP’s Port Hedland operations in Western Australia where the vehicle be used in a range of applications traditionally performed by diesel-powered light Ute.
Starting in late November, the trial will run for about 12 months, with BHP to provide feedback to Toyota after the conclusion of the trial.
Toyota Australia President and CEO Matthew Callachor said the trial marked an exciting opportunity for both companies and was a significant milestone in the HiLux’s history.
“Toyota has long advocated a multi-pathway approach towards decarbonisation, and when we do something, we want to make sure we do it right,” Matthew Callachor outlined.
“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.
“This trial is also a demonstration of the commitment shown by both parties to the Memorandum of Understanding signed last year, which leverages the strengths of both companies to develop new, safe and exciting technologies to address decarbonisation,” Matthew Callachor concluded.
BHP President Australia, Geraldine Slattery, said BHP was thrilled to trial the first-ever Battery Electric HiLux in an environment where safety and reliability are essential.
“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,” Geraldine Slattery explained.
“With around 5,000 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,” Geraldine Slattery added.
BHP Group Procurement Officer, Rashpal Bhatti, said the partnership with Toyota was a terrific example of working with major suppliers to achieve better outcomes.
“The path to decarbonising our operations is one we cannot walk alone. To accelerate the development of new technologies, we are collaborating with original equipment manufacturers and stakeholders in the industry,” Rashpal Bhatti added.
“Our work with Toyota highlights our shared commitment to developing solutions that ultimately make the world a safer and more sustainable place to live and work,” Rashpal Bhatti concluded.
BHP’s Port Hedland operation is the largest iron ore loading port in Australia, and one of the largest in the world.
The BHP trial follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) by the two companies in August 2023, with the stated aim of working together to further decarbonisation measures within BHP’s Australian operations.
The MOU aims to see BHP and Toyota Australia collaborate on the areas of safety, engineering and product development, with a particular focus on light vehicle design and the potential and challenges of future technologies.
