While fleets in the U.S. are looking for electric options, SEA Electric has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with MEVCO, a systems integrator focused exclusively on electric light commercial vehicles within the mining industry.

The partnership will see all-electric Hilux and Landcruiser models made available for the mining industry, with MEVCO making a commitment to order 8,500 units over the next five years. The deal has a total value of close to AU$1 billion, according to a statement. 

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. At the heart of the arrangement is SEA Electric’s proprietary SEA-Drive power-system. 

Thanks to its medium‐voltage architecture and electronic thermal management, SEA Electric noted that its solution is light, cost‐effective, efficient, and tested in the field across eight countries with more than 2.5 million kilometres of real-world use registered to date. 

Available in various mining-specific designs for 4x4 and 4x2 configurations, the vehicles can be spec'd with two SEA-Drive options, namely an 88kWh battery which provides 380km of range, or a 60kWh battery delivering up to 260km 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.