Meet the world’s lightest 510t truck
A solution so ambitious, it didn’t exist.
So we made it from scratch.

nuGenTM represents what it means to think about mining differently. Our FutureSmart MiningTM programme is developing and implementing step-change innovations that are transforming the very nature of mining and how our stakeholders experience our business. We are working towards a world where our mines are integrated, automated, carbon neutral, and use far less water. A safer, smarter, more sustainable future.
To start big, we went light
Light on emissions.
Light on the environment.
And fuelled by the lightest element on earth – hydrogen gas.
This is the inspiration behind our nuGenTM Zero Emission Haulage Solution (ZEHS) project, an end-to-end integrated green hydrogen production, fuelling, and haulage system for mine sites.
Our pilot for the nuGenTM Zero Emission Haulage Solution is a hydrogen-powered ultra-class mine haul truck. It’s an ambitious project that marks the first time a truck of this size and load capacity (a 220t truck with a load capacity of 290t = a total laden weight of 510t) has been converted to run on hydrogen that will be produced on-site in hybrid combination with a battery.
- The nuGenTM truck is retrofitted from a diesel-powered vehicle. The truck uses a hybrid hydrogen fuel cell providing roughly half of the power and a battery pack the other half, to allow energy recovery from braking.
- Hydrogen enters the fuel cell from the tank and mixes with oxygen to create water in a chemical reaction catalysed by platinum. This generates electricity that is used to power the motors that drive the wheels. The only emission from the vehicle is water vapour.
- The 2-megawatt hybrid battery/hydrogen fuel cell powerplant, which replaces the diesel engine installed, has been designed by Anglo American and our partner First Mode in Seattle, USA.
- The power management and battery systems in the truck have been developed to improve overall efficiency by recovering energy when the haul trucks travel downhill, through regenerative braking.
- By harvesting the regenerative energy created when driving downhill, we reduce our need for external energy. This energy, stored in the battery, together with the hydrogen extends the truck's range and reduces the out of cycle time for the trucks, since hydrogen refueling is significantly faster than recharging batteries.
As part of the integrated nuGen™ solution, we have also built a zero emission vehicles hydrogen production, storage, and refueling complex at Mogalakwena that incorporates the largest electrolyser in Africa and a solar PV field to support the operation of the haul truck.
ENGIE is the hydrogen producer and supplier in this proof of concept project.
Visit ENGIE’s website here: engie.com


