Scania and LKAB Advance Electrification of Mining Vehicle

Sodertalje, Sweden – Scania AB., a heavy truck manufacttuer, and LKAB., a mining company, have strengthened their long-standing collaboration to further electrify mining transport with the introduction of a new fully electric heavy tipper truck at LKAB’s Malmberget mine in northern Sweden. The vehicle is a fully electric 8×4 tipper with two steerable front axles, making it the first truck of its kind developed by Scania worldwide.

The truck, nicknamed “Sleipner” after Odin’s legendary eight-legged horse, represents strength, reliability and innovation. Built on Scania’s modular electric platform, it is also the first Scania electric truck to feature two steerable front axles. This configuration improves manoeuvrability, stability and load-carrying capability, which are critical in demanding mining environments with challenging road conditions.

Mr. Peter Gustavsson, Project Manager for Electrification of Mobile Machines at LKAB, said, “According to LKAB, the vehicle is a key step toward achieving fossil-free transport of waste rock. If it performs as expected, we will have a fully fossil-free solution for transporting waste rock in truly demanding mining operations. With LKAB transporting more than five million tonnes of waste rock each year, the potential reduction in CO₂ emissions is significant.”

The electric truck operates on a five-kilometre route between a chute loading station and a backfilling site at Tingvallskulle, with an elevation gain of 250 metres. Fully loaded, the vehicle weighs 60 tonnes and carries a payload of 38 tonnes. Power is supplied by two MP20 battery packs with a total installed capacity of 416 kWh, combined with a 400 kW EM C 1-4 electric motor. The truck fully replaces its internal-combustion counterpart, demonstrating that electric technology can meet the extreme performance demands of heavy mining operations.

The new 8×4 tipper builds on earlier experience from a fully electric Scania 6×4 heavy tipper that has been operating at the Malmberget mine since 2022. Through close cooperation, Scania and LKAB continue to test and refine electric transport solutions under real-world mining conditions.

Mr. Tony Sandberg, Head of Scania Pilot Partner, said, “Each new truck we put into operation helps us and our customers understand how to scale electrification across the toughest environments.”

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