Recently, Cummins has entered into a deep collaboration with Breton, an innovative enterprise in the new-energy mining truck sector, to jointly develop a compact range-extended mining truck solution. The partnership aims to deliver a more energy-efficient, longer-range, and highly reliable green power option for mining transportation scenarios.
Focusing on Customer Needs
Exploring New Approaches to Range Extension
Mining transport demands are becoming increasingly stringent regarding energy conservation, emission reduction, operational efficiency, and overall cost. While pure electric mining trucks face range limitations under high-load, long-distance conditions, range-extended technology, combining the high efficiency and clean operation of new-energy propulsion with stable, continuous work capability, has emerged as a key technical pathway for new-energy mining vehicles.
Leveraging their deep understanding of mining operations, Cummins and Breton have joined forces, combining their respective strengths in vehicle development and powertrain systems to create a range-extended mining truck solution better aligned with real customer needs.
The large-capacity, compact range-extended mining truck offers several core advantages, making it ideal for short-cycle open-pit mines with transport distances of up to 35 km:
- Operating costs comparable to pure electric trucks, with low diesel consumption
- Improved cold-weather adaptability
- Long-term stable and efficient operation at low loads, with fewer failures
- Full retention of downhill regenerative braking, maximizing electric braking benefits
Centuries of Technical Expertise
Building Reliable Power Systems
For mining customers, an excellent range-extending system means extended operating hours, higher availability, and superior total cost of ownership, all of which depend on the powertrain's reliability, economic performance, and long-term stability. In this collaboration, Cummins draws on its extensive technical expertise and rich application experience in engine development, electronic control, system integration, and new-energy powertrains. By leveraging its proven and reliable engine platform, Cummins provides a stable and efficient power source for electricity generation, ensuring consistent and dependable vehicle performance even under demanding mining conditions.
Collaborating Across R&D and Production
Deep Synergy to Overcome Challenges
The partnership between Cummins and Breton represents a comprehensive, cross-functional collaboration spanning research and development, manufacturing, and field validation. From design and system integration to vehicle tuning, and from R&D centers to factory floors and mine sites, both teams maintain frequent communication and close coordination.
During field testing in Inner Mongolia, engineers from both companies worked side by side under extreme conditions of intense cold and heat, conducting multiple rounds of verification and optimization on vehicle power performance, power generation efficiency, reliability, and overall vehicle behavior to ensure the product meets the rigorous demands of mining applications.
From system matching to validation under complex operating conditions, Cummins has earned the team at Breton's deep trust. Moving forward, Cummins will continue to provide reliable and efficient power generation solutions, helping Breton's range-extended mining trucks achieve superior operational performance and delivering proven, sustainable transportation options for mining customers.