Russia will operate 130-ton hydrogen-powered mining dump trucks

-News reposted from the Russian website TechWorld （Oct 9, 2025）

https://tehnoomsk.ru/archives/21209

At the end of September 2025, it became known that the new Belarusian dump truck BELAZ-7513V would participate in a Russian hydrogen project on Sakhalin Island. The project involves the creation of a pilot industrial zone for the operation of new hydrogen-powered equipment in the Far East region of Russia and the development of infrastructure for it. Yes, the huge 130-ton BELAZ runs on hydrogen fuel cells, but the main thing is that the machine is based on a conventional production dump truck with a similar load capacity.

The hydrogen fuel cell unit first appeared on a prototype of the machine in 2023. In 2025, it became more powerful — 440 kW. Energy is supplied to a battery pack with a capacity of 904 kWh. The batteries power the electric motors.

According to the developers, the BELAZ-7513V dump truck consumes 15-30 kg of hydrogen per hour, depending on operating conditions. This creates a need for a special refueling station, which has already been developed and will also be brought to Sakhalin along with the BELAZ-7513V. The refueling station stores about 560 kg of hydrogen (38 cubic meters in a special pressurized container).

It is claimed that the “hydrogen” BELAZ will be twice as economical as its “classic” counterpart. Plus, there is the environmental component—no harmful emissions. If it weren't for the difficulties with additional infrastructure and hydrogen supplies for it, then everything would be very promising. This is where the Sakhalin hydrogen test site plays an important role, as it will bring together all the new fuel-powered equipment in one place, ensure fuel supplies, and try to understand the real benefits of using it.

Incidentally, Technosphere. Russia has already reported on the first Russian hydrogen-powered train for Sakhalin and Ural trucks running on the same fuel for the same region.