Wolong Electric and AEAUTO Enter Mining Truck Diesel-to-Electric Conversion Market

Wolong Electric and Nanjing AE System Technology (AEAUTO) are expanding into the diesel-to-electric mining truck conversion market, as mining companies increasingly explore ways to reduce operating costs, cut emissions and extend the service life of existing equipment.

Known in China as “oil-to-electric” conversion, the approach involves replacing diesel-powered systems with electric drivetrains and battery technology. It offers mining operators an alternative to purchasing new battery-electric trucks, potentially lowering the upfront cost of fleet electrification.

The market is already attracting established technology providers, including HATL (Fujian Hongda Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd) and Huigong Group, through Xingdong Lithium Battery Technology Co Ltd (XDLE). Wolong and AEAUTO are now adding their own solutions to this growing segment.

AEAUTO Targets Mining Truck Retrofits

Nanjing AE System Technology offers battery-electric vehicle conversion kits and charging systems for large mining equipment, including loaders, bulldozers and mechanically driven haul trucks.

The company told International Mining that it can convert trucks in classes of up to 100 tonnes and has already completed conversions of Caterpillar 777 trucks in Pakistan and Southeast Asia.

“ At Nanjing AE System, we help mining companies transform existing diesel mining trucks into more efficient electric-powered equipment. Our goal is simple – reduce fuel and maintenance costs and lower carbon emissions and extend existing equipment service life. We help reduce capital investment compared with purchasing new trucks. Your existing diesel fleet could be your next electrification opportunity,” said Chenkuan Luo, Nanjing AE System Technology Project Manager, Mining Trucks.

AEAUTO Business Development Manager Adrian Xiao emphasised that successful electrification begins with assessing the condition and operating requirements of each truck.

“Mining electrification is surgery on the fleet. Not every truck should go under the knife. Every truck has a history. Some are approaching a major engine overhaul. Some still have years of useful diesel life ahead of them. Some spend most of their shift climbing loaded ramps, while others spend hours queueing, idling or moving on relatively flat haul roads. The same conversion kit can therefore be an excellent investment on one truck and a terrible one on another. That is why I increasingly think electrification should begin with diagnosis, not equipment selection,” he said.

Xiao added that conversion could be particularly attractive for older, heavily utilised haul trucks approaching major overhauls. Rather than investing in another diesel powertrain rebuild and continuing to incur fuel and maintenance costs, operators could use the opportunity to transition to electric propulsion.

However, newer trucks, equipment with low utilisation or operations with unpredictable duty cycles may offer a weaker business case, particularly where electricity is expensive or charging infrastructure is difficult to establish.

AEAUTO’s portfolio includes fully electric retrofits, extended-range electric systems that combine electric drive technology with range-extending power systems, and supporting infrastructure such as charging stations and energy storage. The company also provides technical services and lifecycle support.

Wolong Unveils 70-Tonne Electric Conversion Prototype

Wolong Electric, a major electric motor and drive technology manufacturer headquartered in Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province, is also entering the mining truck conversion market.

In June 2026, the company held its Wolong Mining Vehicle Unmanned Electrification System Solution Launch Conference at the Wolong Electric Drive Permanent Magnet Motor Industrial Park in Baotou, Inner Mongolia. The event was themed ‘Intelligent Drive for the Mines, Green Future’.

The launch focused on supporting lower-carbon mining operations and the industry’s transition towards electrification, automation and autonomous equipment. Wolong introduced its mining vehicle diesel-to-electric conversion programme alongside solutions for autonomous haulage and high-efficiency electric drive systems.

Wei Min, General Manager of Autobi Electric (Shanghai) Co Ltd, a Wolong group company, outlined the group’s research and development capabilities, industrialisation experience and technology portfolio for new-energy heavy equipment.

He highlighted Wolong’s capabilities across the electric drivetrain value chain, from core components to complete vehicle system integration, as well as its strategy for entering the mining truck conversion market.

Liu Lifei, Chief Engineer of Autobi Motor, presented the company’s technical approach to converting mining trucks for electric and autonomous operation.

The system integrates an electric drive assembly, energy management technology and vehicle-road coordination capabilities. These are intended to address operational challenges in open-pit mines, including driving range, consistent power delivery, coordination between autonomous vehicles and safety under complex operating conditions.

500 kW Motor and 801 kWh Battery System

A key highlight of the launch was a 70-tonne-class wide-body mining truck prototype converted from a Yutong YTK105D diesel truck.

The prototype features a 500 kW permanent magnet synchronous motor and an 801 kWh battery system. It also supports four-gun fast charging at a stated current of 1,000 A.

Wolong says its conversion solution can reduce purchase costs by approximately 50% compared with buying a new electric mining truck, potentially lowering the initial financial barrier to electrification.

However, the overall business case will depend on factors such as battery performance, charging infrastructure, electricity costs, operating conditions and maintenance requirements.

“Converting oil to electricity is not just about switching energy, but also paving the way for unmanned and intelligent operations,” Liu said.

He explained that electric drivetrains can support autonomous operation when integrated with vehicle-road coordination and intelligent energy management systems. These capabilities could help mining operators move towards continuous, around-the-clock operations.

Overseas Expansion and Industry Partnerships

Wolong’s mining electrification ambitions extend beyond China, with the company targeting markets including Mongolia, Russia, Australia, Thailand and Laos.

It has signed cooperation agreements with multiple vehicle manufacturers and mining customers covering mining truck conversions and electric drivetrain supply.

The company’s collaboration with Yutong on the converted YTK105D prototype also demonstrates how equipment manufacturers and electric drive specialists can work together to develop retrofit solutions for existing fleets.

Retrofitting Offers an Alternative Route to Mine Electrification

The entry of Wolong and AEAUTO highlights the expanding range of options available to mining companies seeking to decarbonise operations without immediately replacing their entire diesel fleets.

By combining electric drivetrains, battery systems, charging infrastructure and, in some cases, autonomous technologies, conversion programmes could help operators extend asset life while reducing fuel consumption and maintenance requirements.

However, as AEAUTO emphasises, retrofitting is not suitable for every truck or mine. Equipment condition, duty cycles, energy availability and total lifecycle costs will remain central to investment decisions.

As more suppliers enter the market, mining operators will have additional options for evaluating whether converting existing diesel trucks or purchasing new electric equipment offers the most practical route towards lower-emission operations.

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