The transition to green energy may take a while as this fleet of trucks is mining coal.
The global mining industry entered a transformative new phase in May 2025 when China Huaneng Group commissioned the world’s first fleet of 100 autonomous, all-electric mining trucks at the Yimin open-pit mine in Inner Mongolia.
The autonomous electric “Huaneng Ruichi” trucks are revolutionary. Mining is a dangerous activity that is often conducted in extreme conditions. The vehicles can withstand the extreme cold, dust, and storms often prevailing at Inner Mongolia’s mines. For instance, temperatures at the Yimin site can plunge to -48.5°C in winter, with frequent dust storms, fog, and muddy conditions creating visibility and mobility challenges. Obviously, such conditions have exposed human drivers to serious peril in the past.
The fleet features advanced AI perception systems that maintain 40-meter visibility even in complete darkness or sandstorms. They are fitted with radars and cameras providing 360-degree vision to the AI piloting the machines. Moreover, they feature specialized anti-sinking controls that prevent immobilization on soft ground. The AI that pilots them can also gather road condition data and alert maintenance crews when repairs are needed. The all-electric trucks each are powered by a 568 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery…
In 2024, China accounted for over half of global coal production, with nearly 500 million metric tons extracted.
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