Epiroc launches next‑generation charging solution, engineered for tough mining and heavy-duty demands
Epiroc is launching a new generation of charging solutions tailored to, it says, the specific challenges of underground mining and heavy‑duty electrification.
The new 480 kW chargers deliver a breakthrough combination of ruggedised reliability, OEM-agnostic standardisation and dynamic power distribution, to ensure safe and efficient charging where operations demand it, according to Epiroc. This is part of Epiroc’s ambition to support customers throughout their electrification journey.
“Our new charging solution is the result of years of experience from the field, delivering reliable power where it’s needed and giving customers the operational flexibility to get the most from their electrified vehicles – regardless of the manufacturer,” Trent Sears, Global Product Manager – EV Infrastructure at Epiroc, says.
Engineered for the toughest underground conditions and protected by an IP65‑classified design, the new chargers withstand dust, humidity and continuous heavy‑duty use. With the ability to place remote charge posts up to 300 m from the central cabinet, mines gain significantly more freedom in employing decentralised charging strategies to reduce tramming, minimise queues and keep power close to active faces. Charge posts can both be pedestal‑mounted or wall‑mounted, giving operations the possibility to place them where they’re most effective.
Sears added: “To further boost productivity, the chargers support dynamic power sharing across up to eight posts per cabinet. This allows available capacity to be directed to where it’s needed, adapting in real time to changing fleet patterns and helping maintain high equipment utilisation throughout every shift.”
This dynamic element is important here. The charger can potentially charge multiple machines at any one time at different C ratings. This could be dictated by the mine’s cycle plan, the stated charge rate and battery capacity for said vehicle, the power availability at that point in time, or the machine’s planned work duty.
It could see, for instance, an Epiroc Minetruck MT42 SG and Epiroc Scooptram ST18 SG charged simultaneously on different levels of a mine, and at different C rates.
This dynamism could be even greater when a battery energy storage system is introduced into the mix, with Sears confirming this potential integration has already been factored into the product roadmap.
And the charger isn’t just built for Epiroc vehicles either.
Initially designed for CCS compatibility – with MCS likely to come in the future – Epiroc has been testing this out on the likes of Ford F150s, Rivian vehicles and Teslas at its R&D facility in Vancouver. This testing, which amounts to hundreds of charging sessions without charging interruptions in some cases, has been complemented by trials at a mine site in North America too.
“As long as they are using the CCS protocol, we could offer the whole site’s vehicle-agnostic charging solution,” Sears told IM.
Other benefits include telematics support for tracking charge sessions, along with plug‑and‑play power electronics that simplify serviceability, installation and configuration. All combined, they create a unified “one charging solution” for mixed battery‑electric fleets, the company says. Improved charging solutions also play an important role in reducing the industry’s reliance on fossil fuels and mitigating the risks of supply disruption and price instability.
The new charging solutions are available globally, starting April 2026.
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