SEA Electric, MEVCO ink $1b EV conversion deal

AUSTRALIAN electric vehicle driveline specialist SEA Electric and Mining Electric Vehicle Company (MEVCO) have signed a memorandum of understanding that will lead to 8500 Toyota HiLux and LandCruiser models being converted to battery electric power for use within the mining industry over the next five years.

The deal, estimated to be worth close to $A1 billion, will see the Toyota-sourced light commercial vehicles receive SEA Electric’s proprietary SEA-Drive battery electric power system, which is said to provide leading all-electric range, driving performance and environmental credentials.

For MEVCO – a portfolio company of innovation investment fund RCF Jolimont – the results will provide a more comfortable work environment for vehicle operators and OH&S benefits including reduced noise, heat and on-site emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O).

MEVCO chair Matt Cahir described the SEA Electric deal as “a pivotal partnership for the mining industry”.

“It enables the world’s leading EV technology for heavy- and light commercial trucks to be commercialised on a scale that makes sense for the bespoke needs of the mining sector.

“SEA Electric’s unique architecture is perfectly suited for the task, with the system’s high-torque characteristics ideally fit for purpose.”

SEA Electric says its medium-voltage architecture and electronic thermal management system is lightweight, cost-effective and efficient, with field testing proving the technology across eight countries and more than 2.5 million kilometres of real-world use.

Mining-specific designs are available in two- and four-wheel drive configurations with options providing an 88kWh battery pack with 380km range and a 60kWh unit with up to 260km of use. DC fast charging enables battery replenishment (to 80 per cent) in less than one hour.

Both drivelines are backed by a five-year warranty.

SEA Electric founder and CEO Tony Fairweather said the announcement was a logical step in the company’s expansion within the commercial vehicle space, opening up opportunities for the technology not only on a global scale, but for a wide variety of applications.

“Across all industries, companies now understand they have a role to play in ensuring they are a part of the solution to the environmental problems we face,” he said.

“With the SEA-Drive power system, we have developed technology that is perfectly adaptable to a wide range of commercial vehicle tasks that have typically been the domain of diesel-powered engines.

“Through MEVCO, the mining industry will now be able to access cutting-edge technology, which delivers top performance and total cost of ownership prospects, all with sustainability at the forefront.

“This deal is a significant step forward in Australia and shows just what is possible when it comes to electrifying the world’s fleets.”

SEA Electric is an Australian-based company that focuses on the end-user requirements of OEM and fleet users worldwide. Founded in 2012, the company launched operations in 2017, centring on commercial vehicle conversions.