Green trucks reshape transportation

By Yan Wanqin, Yichang International Communication Studio

The first of Yihua Group’s new energy heavy trucks have been put into operation in Yiling District. These 30 trucks are primarily used for transporting phosphate deposits between the mines in Yiling District and fertilizer factories in Xiaoting District. This milestone marks a breakthrough in expanding the application scenarios of green electric transport along the Yangtze River.

Yichang-based Hubei Yihua Group is one of China’s leading fertilizer producers. These new trucks will help with reducing both carbon emissions and costs, cutting an estimated 77.2 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per truck each year compared to the fossil fuel vehicles. This new development is a major step in accelerating the advancements in green and low-carbon transportation.

Compared to those run on diesel fuel, new energy heavy trucks have zero emissions as well as lower noise and transport costs. Their average power consumption is 85 kWh to 100 kWh per 100 kilometers. If the trucks run presumably 80,000 to 100,000 kilometers a year, each new model can save around 80,000 (US$11,121) to 100,000 yuan in fuel costs.

Revenue can be further increased through better coordinating of the fleet and increasing the vehicles’ annual transportation mileage. The company has further plans to purchase and store electricity from the public grid during times when rates are low, ensuring the fleet doesn’t have to buy electricity at peak prices. 

Another 170 new energy heavy trucks are scheduled to be put into operation throughout 2024, bringing the total number to 200, according to Yihua Group.

In recent years, Yichang has strived to achieve green electric transport on the Yangtze River.

In September 2023, Yichang released their plan to build a "green corridor for mining transportation on the Yangtze River" and promote the electrification of vehicles and ships used in mining transportation.

Yihua Group has worked with the State Grid to build a battery-swapping station for the new trucks in both Yinjiaping Village and Yunchi Village. The promotion of green and low-carbon transformation of energy resupply and transportation is core to their mission.