First Mode reported it leased property in Washington, U.S., to serve as proving grounds for ultra-class mining haul trucks. The site is leased from and at the TransAlta Centralia Mine, a former coal mine, and includes a work yard and office space.
At the proving grounds, the company can test and optimize the next generation of zero-emission ultra-class haul trucks and the associated hydrogen refueling infrastructure that will be deployed at mine sites around the world. The company said the development is a critical next step in the company’s mission to help heavy industry eliminate diesel and to transition to clean energy.
Starting in 2023, a Komatsu 930E-4 ultra-class haul truck will be retrofitted with hybrid battery and hydrogen fuel
cell powerplants.
In May 2022, First Mode and partners deployed a proof-of-concept hydrogen-powered haul truck at Anglo American’s Mogalakwena mine in South Africa.
First Mode is headquartered in Seattle, Washington, which is 90 minutes north of the proving grounds.
