China unveils the world’s largest autonomous electric truck fleet at the Yimin mine in Mongolia, setting a new global benchmark for smart, zero-carbon mining.
A Global Benchmark for Smart, Low-Carbon Mining
China has taken a major step toward reshaping industrial transport with the deployment of 100 autonomous electric mining trucks at the Yimin Open-Pit Mine in Inner Mongolia. This initiative, spearheaded by China Huaneng Group in collaboration with XCMG, Huawei, and State Grid Smart Vehicle Network, marks the world’s largest operational fleet of its kind and sets new standards in intelligent, carbon-neutral mining.
Fleet Powered by Cutting-Edge Technology
The fully electric, cabin-free “Huaneng Ruichi” trucks are each capable of hauling 90 metric tonnes and operating in extreme conditions down to -40°C. Connected via Huawei’s advanced 5G-A (5G-Advanced) network, the trucks are managed through real-time data monitoring and autonomous driving algorithms on Huawei’s cloud platform.
Huawei’s Commercial Vehicle Autonomous Driving Cloud Service enables high-precision route optimization and dispatching, supported by 500 Mbps uplink speed and 20ms latency. These capabilities reduce idle time and enhance fleet coordination, enabling 24/7 uninterrupted operation.
Efficiency, Safety, and Sustainability Gains
The fleet is not only more efficient — achieving up to 20% higher productivity than human-driven diesel trucks — but also dramatically safer. As the first driverless trucks in China with no cabins, they eliminate operator exposure to hazardous mining conditions such as dust, high altitudes, or freezing temperatures.
Environmentally, the project is a model for decarbonization. Battery-electric operations powered by photovoltaic energy are expected to save 15,000 tonnes of diesel and avoid nearly 48,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions per year. Battery swapping takes just six minutes, ensuring high operational uptime.
Strategic Collaboration Driving Innovation
The project is a result of a public-private collaboration between national energy, technology, and machinery leaders. It aligns with China’s broader energy security and industrial modernization strategies. By deploying homegrown autonomous systems, the consortium is also reducing dependence on imported technologies.
“This is not just a technological milestone, but a practical model for the transformation of traditional mining into an intelligent, low-carbon industry,” said Zhang Ping’an, Executive Director at Huawei and CEO of its Cloud Computing unit.
Conclusion: A Scalable Blueprint for the Industry
With plans to expand the autonomous fleet to 300 trucks in the near future, the Yimin project is being positioned as a national and international reference for intelligent mining operations. The integration of AI, 5G-A, and clean energy in large-scale industrial transport presents a compelling vision of how digital transformation can align with climate goals.
As mining jurisdictions around the world seek sustainable and efficient solutions, the Yimin mine sets a precedent for how next-generation technologies can redefine heavy industry — reducing emissions, enhancing safety, and boosting productivity at scale.
