en.Wedoany.com Reported - For years, the Hillhead exhibition has been a focal point of the industry, but this year one machine stood out on the show floor—the LiuGong DR50CE, the first fully battery-electric rigid dump truck ever displayed at the event.
The UK mining and quarrying sector has been eyeing electric equipment for some time. Over the past few years, battery-powered wheel loaders such as LiuGong's 20-tonne 856HE, 25-tonne 870HE, and 41-tonne 8110TE have been delivered to multiple quarry sites; electric excavators like the 922FE and 924FE are already in operation, including with rental firms like Flannery Plant Hire; and the 24-tonne 4280DE electric grader has also entered service. Recent fluctuations in diesel prices have further heightened interest in electrified transport options.
The 50-tonne DR50CE, while already in use in Europe with a handful of customers such as Norway's Rental Group, remains a relative newcomer to the market. For LiuGong and this model, the UK market presents a tangible opportunity—there are currently few competing battery rigid dump trucks available. The vehicle is manufactured at LiuGong's main plant in Liuzhou, Guangxi.
Wide-body battery trucks—offered by LiuGong as well as Sany, Zoomlion, XCMG, and others—are an option, but the UK hard rock quarrying industry remains dominated by rigid dump trucks. This is due to several factors: steep quarry slopes, harsh operating conditions, and shift lengths that often exceed those in civil engineering projects. Electric articulated dump trucks are also just entering the market—the first four Volvo A40 Electric units are set to operate in the UK, but for a construction project.
Many UK mining and quarrying operations feature loaded downhill haul routes, which is precisely the ideal working condition for the DR50CE, potentially offering a significantly shorter return on investment compared to diesel trucks.
The DR50CE on display already bore the Holcim logo and was set to be delivered directly to a Holcim site after the exhibition. Harry Mellor, LiuGong's UK Sales Director, revealed during the show that the machine is part of Holcim's broader investment in battery-electric equipment across Europe, indicating a marked increase in confidence from mainstream operators in electric transport technology. Holcim is not alone—during the exhibition, several major quarrying groups showed strong interest in the model and have engaged in in-depth procurement discussions.
The truck features a series dual-motor drive with a peak torque of 13,200 Nm. On downhill gradients of 6%–8%, motor regeneration enables near-zero energy consumption. LiuGong's Vehicle Control Unit (VCU) intelligently manages energy, complemented by a powerful braking system for enhanced safety. For driving comfort, it is equipped with air suspension, a digital instrument cluster, and a central touchscreen. The traction battery is a CATL 423 kWh lithium iron phosphate pack, paired with a motor rated at 500 kW and peaking at 1,200 kW.
LiuGong offers its own charging solutions—such as chargers with dual CCS connectors covering 30 kW to 360 kW—and also partners with third parties. For the UK market's DR50CE, LiuGong collaborated with Vital Power Group to showcase the VPG SiteCharge 200 kW mobile battery energy storage charging system at Hillhead, enabling flexible on-site charging. Additionally, LiuGong works with Kempower and DENS Powerhub to provide pure electric vehicle charging solutions for UK and European customers.
Mellor added: "The reason the DR50CE attracts so much attention ultimately comes down to one question every quarry operator cares about—can this machine truly improve my profitability? The DR50CE's design philosophy is fundamentally different from traditional rigid dump trucks. Its direct-drive motors are mounted directly on the rear axle, eliminating the conventional transmission. This delivers instant torque, smooth acceleration, fewer moving parts, and lower maintenance costs; meanwhile, the regenerative braking system recovers energy during downhill haulage."
He believes that when matched with the right application, especially quarries with ideal haul routes and loaded downhill returns, the results are impressive. "We have demonstrated that total cost of ownership can be reduced by up to 80% compared to conventional diesel trucks, while also cutting fuel dependence, lowering maintenance expenses, and significantly improving operator comfort."
Mellor also stated: "The strongest reaction from the Hillhead audience was that the DR50CE changes people's preconceptions about battery-electric equipment. This is no niche, small-scale product—it's a rigid dump truck with a gross vehicle weight approaching 100 tonnes, fully battery-powered, and designed for around-the-clock production environments."
In his view, with rising fuel costs, tightening emission standards, and increasing pressure on operational efficiency, quarry operators are no longer asking whether battery-electric technology is the future, but rather which applications can deliver the greatest returns from this technology. The DR50CE proves exactly that: with the right operating conditions, electrification is not only a sustainable choice but also a more profitable business decision.
