As witnessed by IM during a series of mine visits this year, the use of methanol-powered mining trucks is growing rapidly in China in tandem with battery electric options. This is not only due to it producing lower emissions. Methanol is lower in cost than diesel and offers a longer range than battery electric plus often performs better that battery machines in very low temperature conditions. Without the weight issues of all battery trucks it can also mean higher truck payloads. Finally, China produces most of its methanol fuel domestic coal via coal gasification, so it can be produced in large volumes in the major mining regions like Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia.
One front runner in the market is LGMG’s  MTH150M methanol hybrid mining truck which IM was able to review during a visit to LGMG’s HQ in Jinan. LGMG says it delivers a new solution – green, energy-saving, safe, reliable, smart, and efficient – to drive mining industry transformation.
IM Editorial Director Paul Moore at LGMG HQ in Jinan
The MTH150M was independently developed by LGMG, and is a pioneer it says in fleet sales and sustained stable operation of 100-ton-class methanol hybrid mining trucks, reshaping the mining transport landscape with green energy-saving technology. With over 300 units already operating at a mining site in northwest China, LGMG says the model has earned high customer recognition and broad market acclaim for its high safety, high availability, and low energy consumption.
The customer stated: “We had concerns about the feasibility and safety of methanol trucks, but LGMG’s reliable performance put our minds completely at ease. Fuel costs are reduced by over 40%, maintenance intervals are longer, and repair costs are lower. It truly saves fuel, saves money, protects the environment, and gives us peace of mind. We will continue to choose LGMG.”
LGMG also says it is committed to building the safest methanol trucks in the industry. Through six key safety enhancements – corrosion-resistant methanol line, corrosion-resistant exhaust line, hot line heat insulation, flame arrester for methanol heater, methanol-specific automatic fire suppression system, and one-touch emergency engine shutdown – it says it has successfully resolved long-standing industry challenges including cold start, vehicle self-ignition, engine knock, corrosion, and reliability issues, establishing a comprehensive safety defence line for methanol trucks.
The truck is equipped with an intelligent range extender with precise combustion control system. By delaying torque loading and mitigating torque fluctuations, it achieves controlled, precise, and optimised methanol combustion, reducing engine knock occurrences by 50% and effectively solving industry problems such as cylinder scoring and bearing seizure.
The MTH150M also features an innovative modular powertrain design. Compatible with diesel, LNG, or methanol, LGMG’s hybrid mining trucks can adapt to different energy demands with minimal changes to the vehicle structure. This flexibility helps meet varying energy supply conditions across different regions.
Through a diversified energy system, the MTH150M achieves near-zero carbon emissions. Custom-developed control software and highly integrated range-extender application deliver over 40% fuel cost savings compared to conventional diesel hybrid models, with significantly lower maintenance costs.
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