BEML's BH35-2 EV Is India's First Indigenous Electric Dump Truck

India has never built an electric dump truck at this scale. Until now.

On April 10, 2026, BEML Limited flagged off the BH35-2 EV at its Mysuru Complex. It is the country's first indigenously developed 35-tonne electric dump truck, built for opencast mines and heavy infrastructure sites. BEML's CMD Shantanu Roy was at the wheel for the ceremonial launch, joined by Director (Mining and Construction) Sanjay Som and officials from technology partner Medha.

The truck has been built entirely in India, to global standards.

What the BH35-2 EV Actually Packs Under the Hood

This is not a concept vehicle. The BH35-2 EV is a working machine with a 35-tonne payload capacity and a gross vehicle weight of around 60 tonnes.

The drivetrain is built around a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor, which BEML claims delivers 85 to 90 percent energy efficiency. That is significantly better than the thermal efficiency a diesel drivetrain can offer in stop-start mining cycles.

Power comes from a 300 kWh lithium-ion battery, managed by a liquid-cooled Battery Thermal Management System. The BTMS keeps battery temperature in range during heavy loading cycles, which is where most electric mining equipment struggles most.

The truck also comes with a Regenerative Braking System. On downhill haul segments, it recovers energy back into the battery instead of burning it off as heat. In a mine where trucks make the same downhill run dozens of times per shift, that adds up.

The Cost Numbers BEML Is Putting on the Table

This is where operators will sit up.

BEML estimates 60 to 70 percent savings in energy costs compared to a diesel-powered truck of the same class. Operating costs overall drop by 40 to 60 percent, factoring in reduced maintenance from having fewer mechanical components.

Diesel dump trucks in mining carry significant maintenance overhead: engine services, transmission repairs, exhaust systems, and fuel logistics. An electric drivetrain cuts most of that out.

The company is quoting a payback period of one to two years depending on operational intensity. For a fleet running three shifts, that payback could come quicker. These are BEML's own estimates, so real-world numbers will depend on mine-specific conditions, but the direction is clear.

Charging Speed Matters More Than Range in Mining

The 35 t segment or heavy commercial vehicles in India mostly runs tight, repetitive haul cycles inside mine boundaries. Long range is not the primary need. Uptime is.

BEML has addressed this directly. The BH35-2 EV can charge to 80 percent capacity in 60 to 90 minutes using BEML's rapid charging infrastructure. In a two-shift operation with a dedicated charging bay, that window fits neatly into shift changeover time.

For electrical safety, the truck carries IP67/IP68-rated protection on its electrical systems and an integrated fire suppression system. In a mining environment where dust, vibration, and heat are constants, that level of protection is not optional.

Why This Launch Matters Beyond One Machine

India's mines currently run large diesel fleets with no indigenous electric alternative at this scale. Most electric mining equipment used in the country is imported, with long lead times, expensive parts chains, and limited local service support.

The BH35-2 EV changes that entry point. BEML already has an established service and spare parts network across Indian mining regions. That matters when you are evaluating whether to commit to a new powertrain technology on a production-critical machine.

The 35-tonne class is also a practical starting point for electrification. Unlike 100-tonne or 200-tonne class trucks, which need massive grid infrastructure, 35-tonne trucks can be managed with more modest charging setups. For mine operators testing electric haulage before scaling up, this is where you start.

BEML has not announced commercial pricing or delivery timelines yet. But if you are running a mine or planning a fleet procurement in FY27, this is a machine to put on the evaluation list now, before the queue forms.