In a move that will have environmentalists nodding and diesel mechanics nervously updating their resumes, a Chinese mining giant has just rolled out what it calls the largest pure electric mining truck ever produced in the country. The ZL230E, from Zijin Longking, is a 350-ton beast that makes your average pickup truck look like a Tonka toy.
Let's talk specs, because this thing is absurd. The truck weighs 350 tons total, with a curb weight of 120 tons and a load capacity of 230 tons. It's designed for ultra-large open-pit mines, where the phrase 'light duty' doesn't exist. Its cargo box holds a stacking volume of 125 cubic meters, so you can move a small mountain of ore in one go.
Under the hood - if you can call it that - it uses a multi-axle central distributed independent drive structure with dual 800kW motors. That's 1.6 megawatts of raw power, which allows the vehicle to adjust distribution on steep, nasty terrain. Because nothing says 'off-road capable' like a vehicle that could crush a house.
But the real party trick is the battery: a 1,400 kWh pack, which is more capacity than 23 Tesla Model 3s. That's enough to power dozens of typical homes, or to keep this behemoth charging from 10% to 90% in about 25 minutes. Rapid charging reduces downtime, which is mining-speak for 'we can keep digging and digging and digging.'
Safety is also a priority, because when you're driving something the size of a small building, you want to ensure it doesn't topple over or lose its brakes. The ZL230E features Longking's patented multi-ring beam high-rigidity frame, redundant braking and steering systems, and intelligent energy management. Because nothing says 'we care' like triple-redundant brakes.
Huang Wei, president of Longking, called the new vehicle 'a powerful tool designed for high-intensity continuous operations in ultra-large open-pit mines.' Su Zimeng, president of the China Construction Machinery Association, added that the launch reflects progress in domestic electric mining equipment. That's a diplomatic way of saying China is now making electric trucks that could power a small town.
Zijin Mining, the parent company, has been busy greening its fleet. It went from 13 electric trucks in 2020 to 1,719 in 2025, and plans to replace all fuel-powered trucks with electric alternatives within three years under its carbon reduction strategy. Because nothing says 'carbon reduction' like a 350-ton electric truck.
Earlier in 2026, Longking delivered 15 electric trucks with 150-ton load capacity to Julong Copper Mine. Those recorded daily transport volumes exceeding 2,000 tons, with equipment availability above 90%, and energy consumption reduced by more than 17% compared with similar diesel trucks. That's a win for the environment and a win for the bottom line.
'We are accelerating the development of new energy mining equipment through independent research and innovation,' said Xie Xiongwei, vice president of Zijin Mining and chairman of Zijin Longking. The company plans to pair these electric trucks with renewable power, energy storage, charging facilities, and swapping infrastructure. So, expect to see giant battery-swapping stations in the middle of nowhere, because that's a thing now.
So, while the rest of the world debates electric vehicles for commuters, China is electrifying the behemoths that move mountains. And honestly? That's kind of awesome.