Caterpillar is designing a modular, flexible powertrain platform for a new large mining truck line

Caterpillar is designing a modular Cat 793 large mining truck platform with powertrain flexibility. This platform will include diesel mechanical, diesel electric, and battery electric options, as part of Caterpillar's strategy to deliver integrated site solutions.

Caterpillar Group president Denise Johnson says, "No matter the powertrain you desire, we will have a solution. Designing and supporting machine platforms that drive commonality, modularity, and a seamless experience across our product lines is not new to us. Our large mining trucks are engineered to integrate with the technologies of today and of the future."

Caterpillar has also been working to deliver product design choices in alignment with customers' operational, sustainability, and productivity goals that increase the value of a machine throughout its lifetime, says the company. To this end, Caterpillar and the Cat dealer network have provided flexible solutions to extend the life of mining trucks, including retrofit kits, update and upgrade programs, and full machine rebuilds. These options can extend a customer's equipment to be compatible with current products and technologies while reducing total cost of ownership.

The company is leveraging the knowledge acquired through its Early Learner battery electric large mining truck program to drive common platform benefits for its ultra class trucks, including diesel electric and battery electric offerings for the Cat 794, 796, and 798 models.

A legacy of designing products with customers' current and future needs in mind. 

All current diesel electric and battery electric large mining truck platforms are also compatible with the recently announced Cat Dynamic Energy Transfer system, providing immediate benefit to mine sites that want to lower their operating costs and greenhouse gas emissions while providing flexibility for the future.

"Caterpillar recognizes every mine site requires a unique plan to meet their sustainability objectives," says Caterpillar senior vice president Greg Hepler. "This is why we are delivering a suite of integrated energy transition solutions, including machines with powertrain flexibility, energy transfer systems, energy storage and management capabilities, autonomy, and fleet management systems. Together with our Cat dealers, we are committed to supporting customers through every step of their energy transition journeys."