From the rollout of a 230-tonne-class pure-electric mining truck to the first deployment of sodium-ion batteries, mining equipment electrification is entering a new phase of diversified technology roadmaps and full application-scenario coverage.
If larger scale, electrification, and autonomy represent the three major trends in today’s mining equipment industry, then **electrification** is undoubtedly the fastest-moving and most innovation-intensive direction. From open-pit mining trucks to underground LHDs, from lithium-ion to sodium-ion batteries, from fast charging to battery swapping, mining equipment electrification is advancing on multiple fronts simultaneously. This article focuses on this core direction, offering an in-depth analysis of recent technological breakthroughs and industrialization progress.
## 1. Diversification of Battery Technology: Sodium-Ion Batteries Debut Onboard
Beyond traditional lithium-ion batteries, **sodium-ion batteries** are emerging as a new option for mining equipment electrification.
In July 2026, the **world’s first sodium-ion battery mining truck**, jointly developed by sodium-ion battery manufacturer HiNa Battery and Shaanxi Tongli Heavy Industries, was officially delivered to Tangshan Sanyou Mine. The vehicle is based on the Tongli 120E series platform and is equipped with HiNa Battery’s independently developed “Haixing” series sodium-ion battery system, with a total capacity of 676 kWh.
The core advantages of sodium-ion batteries are reflected in three aspects:
– **Fast charging capability**: Can charge from 0 to 100% in 20-25 minutes
– **Ultra-long cycle life**: Cycle life exceeding 8,000 cycles, maintained even under fast-charging mode
– **Wide temperature adaptability**: Can operate effectively within the range of -40°C to 45°C, highly suitable for mining operations under China’s complex climatic conditions
Li Shujun, General Manager of HiNa Battery, stated that the sodium-ion battery solution fully leverages its long cycle life, wide temperature range, and high-rate capability, aligning with the mining industry’s cost requirements for “smaller battery packs, faster charging, and higher utilization rates.”
Of course, cost remains the primary challenge at present. Currently, the cost of sodium-ion batteries is approximately 0.5-0.7 RMB/Wh, higher than the 0.3-0.5 RMB/Wh of lithium batteries. Li Shujun expects the two to achieve price convergence in 2027-2028, at which point the cost of sodium-ion cells is expected to drop to 0.3 RMB/Wh.
## 2. Underground Mine Electrification: From LHDs to Full-Series Equipment
Electrification is not only happening in the field of open-pit mining trucks; the electrification of **underground mining equipment** is also accelerating.
In June 2026, the **WJL-7 underground battery-powered LHD**, jointly developed by Qixia Dali Mining Machinery Co., Ltd. and Volvo (Penta), successfully rolled off the production line. This pure-electric LHD is equipped with Volvo’s advanced electric powertrain system, featuring three core advantages: green and environmentally friendly, cost reduction and efficiency improvement, and stable and efficient performance. It can adapt to plateau and complex underground working conditions.
From a global perspective, underground mine electrification has become an industry consensus. The #TheElectricMine2026 conference held in 2026 attracted more than 750 delegates from all continents, discussing topics ranging from battery-powered working machines to charging infrastructure, grid development, and entire mine energy management.
The core message conveyed by the conference is: **the industry is no longer asking “whether” to electrify, but “how fast” and “at what scale” to implement zero-emission solutions**. Mines expect not only high performance but also lower noise, fewer exhaust emissions, better operator working conditions, and higher energy efficiency.
## 3. The Battle of Charging Technology Roadmaps: Fast Charging vs. Battery Swapping
With the large-scale application of electric mining trucks, **charging methods** have become a technical focus of the industry. Currently, two main technology roadmaps have emerged: **fast charging** and **battery swapping**.
A study of a fleet of eight mining trucks at an underground mine in Canada conducted a simulation comparison of battery swapping and fast charging modes. The results showed:
– **Energy consumption**: The battery-swapping mode consumes 5% to 27% less energy per kilometer than fast charging
– **Battery life**: Under fast charging, one battery lasts 1.5 to 4 years (to 60% state of health); under battery swapping, two batteries last 1.5 to 7 years
– **Comparison with traditional diesel vehicles**: Electric mining trucks achieve 90% of the productivity of diesel trucks, but consume less than one-third of the energy
The study also found that larger battery packs, lower charging power, shorter routes, and a high battery ratio help extend battery life. Energy consumption ranges between 12 and 23 kWh/km.
From a practical application perspective, each roadmap has its own suitable scenarios. The Zijin Longjing ZL230E adopts the **fast-charging roadmap**, charging to 90% in 25 minutes, suitable for quick recharging during driver rest breaks. Meanwhile, the first pure-electric mining truck battery-swapping project previously built by Longjing Environmental Protection in Wuqia, Xinjiang, verified the feasibility of the **battery-swapping roadmap** in extreme environments — the swapping station can operate at altitudes below 5,500 meters and within a temperature range of -40°C to 40°C, with energy costs only one-quarter that of diesel mining trucks.