Zijin Longking unveils 350-ton ZL230E, China’s largest battery-electric mining truck

Zijin Longking showcased its new ZL230E electric haul truck at a media event in Longyan City, Fujian Province. Weighing 350 tons gross vehicle weight (GVW) and capable of carrying a 230-ton payload, the three-axle machine is currently the largest-tonnage battery-electric mining truck operating in China, and it may well hold the global record for size. ## Technical specifications and performance The ZL230E is powered by two 800 kW electric motors mounted on the rear drive axles. Advanced drive-system software coordinates the motors to balance power output, providing steady uphill performance and improved maneuverability in the complex terrain of open-pit mines. Energy for the motors comes from a 1,400 kWh battery pack that the manufacturer describes as ultra-fast-charging. According to Longking, the battery can be charged from 10 % to 90 % capacity in about 25 minutes, a stark contrast to the lengthy refuelling stops required by diesel-powered haul trucks. ## Autonomous-driving partnership with EACON The truck’s launch was tied to a strategic partnership with Australian autonomous-mining specialist EACON. EACON supplies a full technology stack that includes perception sensors, decision-making algorithms, vehicle-control software and cloud-based dispatch systems. Together, the two firms aim to deliver driverless haul trucks that can operate reliably in China’s open-pit mining sites. EACON already runs more than 3,100 autonomous trucks across more than 40 large mines, including Zijin Mining’s Zijinshan Gold-Copper Mine and the Julong Copper Mine in Tibet, as well as the Norton Gold Fields project in Australia. ## Industry context and future outlook Longking’s press release highlighted the accelerating convergence of electrification and intelligentisation in mining operations. The company suggests that the collaboration will extend the strengths of both partners into real-world environments, fostering more efficient and intelligent transport solutions for the sector. The unveiling of the ZL230E formed part of a broader investment-promotion and business-matching event focused on “Mining + Intelligent Manufacturing” in Xinluo District. The introduction of a 350-ton electric haul truck underscores a growing trend toward greener, more sustainable mining equipment in China. By combining a massive battery pack with autonomous-driving technology, the ZL230E aims to reduce emissions, lower operating downtime and improve overall productivity in large-scale mining operations. *Note: The source article includes promotional content unrelated to the truck launch; it has been omitted from this report.*