The launch of Olectra's first electric tipper is scheduled for March 2023, an individual aware of the developments told Mobility Outlook. This will also mark the OEM's foray into the tipper segment in India.
“Not for just Olectra, the electric tipper that we are launching in March 2023, will also be the first in India,” the individual said.
Not willing to reveal numbers, the source also noted that the company has received pre-orders for the electric tipper and will reveal the same during the launch. Notably, a few of these are already deployed at various Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Limited (MEIL) work sites. MEIL is Olectra's parent company.
On the specifications side, the tipper’s GVW is 28,000 Kg with a tipping angle of 46 degrees, gradeability of 25%, maximum torque of 2,400 Nm, and a 6X4 axle configuration. Once launched, it will be available in 16 and 19-cubic metre load body options.
Targeting Mining Sector
With the launch of this electric tipper, the company will target the mining sector logistics as, on average, a mining tipper runs 70 to 110 km/day. The current variant of the Olectra electric tipper features a range of 150 km/charge with the capability of being charged completely in two hours using a DC charger.
“I do not think we will introduce an option to charge the tipper using slow AC chargers as these affect the battery life and the quality,” the individual said.
The main advantage is low operational and maintenance costs. In addition, the individual explained that an ICE tipper consumes most of the oxygen inside a mine on entering it, and therefore, the workforce must be evacuated when the vehicle enters the zone. But in the case of this electric tipper, there's no need for oxygen. This results in continuous operations.
KV Pradeep, CMD, Olectra, had last year mentioned that the electric trucks will be a game-changer in the segment as the cost of fossil fuel skyrockets. Since then, the OEM has been testing the tipper in different geographical conditions in the country.
Interestingly, the Indian tipper truck market is projected to reach a $3.10 billion value by 2024.
“The tipper has been tested near Atal Tunnel, Rajasthan, and many other areas of the country. We are hopeful as the spending on infra and mining projects increases, the demand for tipper trucks will also go North,” the source noted.
Incepted in 2000, Olectra introduced its first range of electric buses in India in 2015. An order for supplying 2,100 electric buses to Brihanmumbai Electric Supply & Transport (BEST) was bagged by the OEM in 2023. The company is also the only OEM making 7m electric buses in the country.
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