EPCA’s aim to accelerate the transition to zero-emission mining fleets now extends to on-road vehicles, with the company having just signed a Western Australia-focused dealership agreement with Janus Electric.
The two companies, which share the same commitment and vision of a 100% carbon-free transport future for Australia, will now work together to deliver zero emission conversions of on-road vehicles for logistics and mining operations.
As an Authorised Dealer for Janus, EPCA will be tasked with carrying out the retrofit, servicing and maintenance of Janus conversion modules and battery systems for road trucks in Western Australia. “Janus provides the tech platform; EPCA executes the retrofit to their specifications,” Clayton Franklin, EPCA founder and Chief Engineer, told IM.
Prior to the pact, Janus carried out all retrofits in-house at its East Coast facilities, with some 23 conversions completed by Janus or partners closer to its New South Wales base. EPCA’s involvement is new and exclusive to Western Australia to reduce logistics and cost barriers, EPCA explains. Franklin added: “Using EPCA capabilities will reduce transport, cost and allow faster deployment to their WA clients.”
Janus says its commitment to a cleaner, more sustainable world has led it to create an innovative system that electrifies Class 8 Prime Movers, setting a new standard for eco-friendly transport. Its technology platform hinges on an advanced exchangeable battery system that, Janus says, seamlessly powers electric heavy trucks. In just four minutes, a vehicle’s battery can be swapped at one of its Janus Electric Charge & Change Stations, which can be powered by renewable sources like solar and wind.
While the company has carried out 23 conversions to date, its most recent investor presentation following its listing on the Australian Securities Exchange recently, highlights 142 truck conversion orders in its pipeline. As well as conversions, it hopes to earn revenues from what it refer to as a ‘Battery and Energy as a Service’ model.
Franklin said this agreement presents an opportunity for EPCA to further hone the skill of electrification through retrofits, with the company having plans to put a number of electrical apprentices to work on the Janus pipeline and increase its workforce to cover the increased demand.
He also saw synergies that could benefit both companies’ sales pipeline: “There are many mines that have satellite pits or ports, which are tens or hundreds of kilometres away where a road train makes the most economical sense. And, of course, there are many logistics companies all throughout the state of Western Australia that can benefit from the reduced costs of operating and maintaining an electric fleet.”
EPCA made its name in the mine electrification space though the development of the E-777D, the company’s first fully battery-electric retrofit of a 100-ton (91 t) mining truck. Built from the chassis of a CAT 777D, this machine combined proven mining design with a powerful zero-emission electric drivetrain. EPCA states that it can run for 12 hours using opportunity charging during operator breaks; can be fast charged in 30 minutes; and offers 46% more power than its diesel counterpart.
Since debuting the vehicle at The Electric Mine 2024, in Perth, Australia, EPCA has run the E-777D through a trial at Bakers Hill, a sand mine located just 40 minutes north of Perth.
As well as working on a commercial retrofit platform for the E-777D and carrying out Western Australia-specific Janus’ on-road vehicle conversions, EPCA is planning to electrify both diesel-powered 142-t-payload CAT 785s and CAT 993 wheel loaders as part of demonstrating its battery-electric conversion credentials in mining.
