Regional Mining Industry Unveils First Electric Fleet Of Mobile Service Units

At the Huanchaca Ruins park, SQM joined Andes Motor and Grandleasing to present the Maxus electric mobile service units, which boast a range of 170 kilometers. Chile’s first fleet of electric vehicles is specially adapted and equipped for all on-site maintenance needs.

The event coincided with the launch of the 2020 Sustainability Report, which outlines the mining company’s comprehensive and unwavering commitment to sustainability. The report contains the environmental targets for SQM’s Sustainability Plan for the next few years, which include achieving carbon neutrality in all products. Antofagasta Regional Governor Rodrigo Saavedra and Senior Vice President of Nitrate Operations at SQM, José Miguel Berguño, led the ceremony.

“We are pleased to take another step in sustainability. These vehicles are a tangible example of our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint through electromobility. As a company, we are constantly working to reduce our environmental impact, deepen dialog and build close, respectful relationships. These mobile service units are a tremendous step in that direction,” said José Miguel Berguño, Senior Vice President of Nitrate Operations at SQM.

The executive added: “This is our second step in contributing to electromobility in Chile. In 2019, we introduced Latin America’s first solar eco-charger, which is off-grid and draws its entire power supply from solar panels and a lithium-battery backup system.”

At the ceremony, the Antofagasta Regional Governor remarked: “In this region, we are harnessing green energies, and this SQM initiative is part of that transformation to become a CO₂-neutral country. We believe that we must leave our children and grandchildren a solution, a cleaner country. This type of initiative is the direction in which we need to continue working.”

On the vehicles and their technology, Luis Izquierdo, Chief Executive Officer at Andes Motor said: “We know the impact that vehicles have on the environment. That is why we are pleased that Grandleasing has chosen our Maxus EV 80 model to tackle the on-site challenges that mining operations face daily, especially at an experienced company like SQM. We are sure that our electric commercial vehicle—with its outstanding cargo capacity, range and environmentally friendliness—has what it takes to do quality, safe work in one of Chile’s most important and challenging sectors.”

Finally, Commercial & IT Manager at Grandleasing, Ernesto Ly, added: “We have certainly wanted to meet the challenges SQM is currently facing in terms of reducing its carbon footprint. That is why we are here and available to keep working on this type of initiative.”

The electric trucks are being taken to four SQM facilities: Salar de Atacama, Salar del Carmen, María Elena and Nueva Victoria.