China Unveils 230-Ton-Class Electric Mining Truck with 1,418 kWh Battery

On Aug. 10, ZL230E, a pure-electric mining truck independently developed by Zijin Longking, a subsidiary of major Chinese mining group Zijin Mining, officially rolled off the production line.

The model was previously known as LK350E. It targets high-intensity transport operations at large open-pit mines.

The ZL230E has a gross vehicle weight of 350 tons, a curb weight of 120 tons, a maximum payload of 230 tons, with a 125-cubic-meter cargo body. The truck is designed for long-distance haulage, heavy-load climbs, and continuous transport cycles under complex mining conditions.

In terms of payload, the ZL230E surpasses Zijin Longking’s pure-electric LK220E, which rolled off the line in May with a rated payload of 140 tons. It becomes the company’s largest mining truck by payload to date.

The LK220E has already entered commercial operation at a copper mine in Tibet, where it has undergone heavy-load operations at high altitude. Just three months after the LK220E rollout, Zijin Longking has raised its electric mining truck payload to the 230-ton class.

The ZL230E adopts a multi-axle centrally distributed independent-drive architecture, powered by two 800 kW high-output motors. The system can adjust torque distribution in real time based on operating conditions. Maximum gradeability reaches 38%, while top speed on level ground is 55 km/h.

The truck is equipped with a 1,418 kWh battery pack. It supports high-power charging, reaching 90% state of charge in 25 minutes. The fast-charging setup is designed to cut charging downtime during continuous multi-shift mining operations.

For rough terrain, heavy loads and other demanding mine conditions, the ZL230E uses a high-rigidity patented frame. Its braking system and steering system feature multiple layers of redundancy. The vehicle also reserves interfaces for future autonomous-driving upgrades, allowing deployment in unmanned mining operations.

Zijin Mining has become an active example of mine transport electrification in China. The group’s electric mining truck fleet grew from 13 units in 2020 to 1,719 units in 2025. Zijin Mining plans to fully electrify its mining truck fleet over the next three years.

Earlier this year, Zijin Longking delivered its first batch of 15 pure-electric mining trucks with 150-ton payloads to the Julong Copper Mine, where they entered commercial operation.

The trucks maintain daily transport volumes above 2,000 tons, with equipment utilization above 90%. Energy consumption is more than 17% lower than comparable products.

The ZL230E therefore marks more than a simple increase in truck size. It builds on Zijin Longking’s operating experience with electric mining trucks, pushing deeper into larger-payload applications.

Zijin Longking plans to accelerate its full-range new energy mining equipment lineup. Besides the ZL230E, products including the autonomous LK110EI smart mining truck are scheduled to roll off the line this year.