Proterra batteries for Komatsu equipment

Global construction and mining equipment powerhouse Komatsu Ltd. has forged a partnership with Proterra Inc., a leading innovator in commercial vehicle electrification technology, to electrify next-gen underground mining equipment.

Under the agreement, Proterra will supply its H Series battery system technology for installation in Komatsu battery-electric load haul dumps (LHDs), drills, and bolters for underground hard rock mining.

Based in Burlingame, California, Proterra generally designs and manufactures electric transit buses and electric charging systems, yet for this agreement, the electrification company will provide its high-performance battery systems in prototype heavy equipment for Komatsu, expected to commence commercial production in 2022.

"Proterra is excited to build on our relationship with a proven, industry leader like Komatsu to electrify mining machines with our EV technology," said Gareth Joyce, president of Proterra. "The benefits of zero-emissions, battery-electric vehicles extend far beyond our roads and cities. Switching to battery-electric technology means helping protect clean air for those working in underground mines while delivering a high-performance technology solution where safety and reliability are paramount."

Designed and manufactured in the United States, Proterra battery systems leverage industry-leading energy density and a customizable design to fit within a variety of vehicles.

The company's best-in-class battery systems have been proven in more than 20 million service miles driven by Proterra transit vehicles and selected by world-class commercial vehicle manufacturers to power heavy-duty vehicles, including construction equipment.

"We are excited to work with Proterra to bring zero-emissions mining solutions to underground hard rock," said Komatsu Vice President of Hard Rock Mining Josh Wagner. "Leveraging their battery technology, we seek to offer customers increasing sustainable solutions for their operations."

Proterra battery systems offer an outstanding application for confined, underground mining settings where safety and durability are of utmost importance, while helping to mitigate air and noise pollution through battery-electric technology.

The company uses rigorous testing to ensure its battery packs are able to withstand tough conditions and meet or exceed the latest functional safety standards.

Furthermore, the system incorporates liquid thermal conditioning, monitoring sensors throughout the battery pack, as well as active and passive protective features like passive propagation resistance to isolate individual battery cells in the rare case of a thermal event.

This is the second collaboration between the two companies, where previously Proterra supplied its industry-leading battery systems to support Komatsu in electrifying its first medium-sized hydraulic excavators.