Reducing emissions with RTL electric excavator trial

In June 2025, RTL together with EnergyAustralia successfully deployed a fully electric 22 tonne Komatsu excavator for a one-month trial at the Yallourn Mine in Victoria, Australia.

The excavator supported drainage and belt shift works, reducing CO2 emissions by approximately 80kg per day compared to a diesel unit. With no exhaust fumes and reduced risk of fluid spills, the machine was especially suitable for work near the stormwater systems. Powered by a high-capacity lithium-ion battery pack with up to eight hours of runtime per charge, the excavator delivered good performance, and daily onsite charge ensured no interruptions to project timelines. Operators found the excavator to be smooth, quiet and powerful, demonstrating that electric equipment can deliver strong performance while reducing emissions.