The two said they will work in tandem to ensure specialist all-electric Hilux and Landcruiser models are made available for mining as part of an A$1 billion value deal, with MEVCO making a commitment to order 8,500 units over the coming five years.

“At the time of the launch, over half of the 2023 allocation of the Australian-developed battery-electric vehicles have been pre-sold, with demonstration models available in Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth,” SEA officials noted in its confirmation of the pairing.

At the heart of the new arrangement: SEA Electric’s SEA-Drive power system, which offers all-electric range, driving performance and environmental credentials with zero local emissions of carbon dioxide, methane or nitrous oxide.

“Thanks to its medium‐voltage architecture and no requirement for active thermal management, SEA Electric’s solution is light, cost‐effective, and efficient, with the system tested in the field across eight countries with over 2.5 million kilometres of real-world use registered to date,” the company noted.

It is now available in various mining-specific designs for 4×4 and 4×2 configurations. Vehicles can be specified with two SEA-Drive options, namely an 88kWh battery, which provides 380 km of range, or a 60kWh battery, delivering up to 260 km of use.

Fast DC to DC charging is available for the system, which provides up to 80% battery power in less than one hour, with a five-year factory warranty on the batteries supplied.

For users, the switch to EV provides a comfortable work environment, with health and safety considerations including no noise, fumes, heat or vibrations.

MEVCO is a portfolio company of RCF Jolimont, the innovation fund of Resource Capital Funds, a top mining private equity manager.

MEVCO CEO Matt Cahir called the partnership “pivotal” for the industry.

“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. SEA Electric’s unique architecture is perfectly suited for the task, with the system’s high-torque characteristics ideally fit for purpose.”

Tony Fairweather, SEA Electric founder and CEO, added that its power system is perfectly adaptable for a wide range of commercial vehicle tasks that have typically been the domain of diesel-powered engines.

“This deal is a significant step forward in Australia and shows just what is possible when it comes to electrifying the world’s fleets,” he said.

Sources: MEVCO and SEA Electric