BME's Battery Electric Mobile Equipment Solutions: Enhancing Safety, Zero Emissions, and Cutting Operating Costs

Batt Mobile Equipment Pty Ltd (“BME”) is an Australian based original equipment manufacturer (OEM), specialising in mid-sized battery electric mobile equipment, such as our 20-tonne fully electric mine spec wheel loader. 

Born out of the mining industry-wide pressure to decarbonise, BME are helping our customers with a practical electrification solution for mobile equipment.

The executive leadership team of Cougar Mining Group formed Batt Mobile Equipment Pty Ltd in 2016, due to increasing demand for mobile electrical equipment within the mining industry.  

Over the past seven years BME have been developing battery electric mobile equipment for some of Australia’s industry leading mining companies, such as South 32, Barminco, Gold Fields and Aeris Resources.

BME are agnostic to which battery technology and drivetrain system we use for our electric mobile equipment. This creates flexibility for BME to use the latest and most advanced technology on the market and in turn create an affordable yet high-end product, using trialled and tested components.  

For example, we have recently used a REXROTH electric motor, DANFOSS hydrostatic system and KREISEL battery (JOHN DEERE owned company), to develop an affordable yet highly technologically advanced 20-tonne wheel loader, by combining existing, reputable, and proven products.

The key benefits over diesel counterpart equipment are: 

• Electrical Vehicles emit very low levels of heat, noise and vibrations. This results in a cooler and safer working environment, particular for underground mining and tunnelling operations.  
• Elimination of scope 1 greenhouse gas emissions.  
• Eliminating employee exposure to carcinogenic diesel exhaust fumes. A study by the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in 2012 definitively linked diesel exhaust fumes to lung cancer among miners. 
• Reduced medical claims, through less exposure to noise pollution and toxic diesel fumes.  
• Reduced ventilation requirements, where equipment is used in confined spaces.  
• Significantly reduced running costs. For example, the cost to charge a 20-tonne wheel loader is approximately $30 compared to $600 to refuel an equivalent wheel loader.