SQM Lithium Ventures invests $3m in long-haul battery-electric truck developer Terraline 

SQM Lithium Ventures announced on Tuesday a $3 million investment in Terraline, developer of the Tangra LH1 zero-emission, long-haul battery-electric truck.

This investment underscores SQM’s commitment to sustainable development, the Chilean miner said, adding that it translates to sustainable use of natural resources, minimizing the impact of production processes, and protecting surrounding ecosystems.

Terraline’s Tangra LH1 electric truck eliminates emissions from the crucial long-haul trucking sector, which represents a significant contributor to global greenhouse gases.

Based in California, Terraline is the only company designing a ground-up new electric heavy truck that can achieve over 500 miles of range and can accommodate any human or any autonomous driver.

Coupled with a fast charge capability of 20-80% in less than 45 minutes, Tangra LH1 the first commercial electric truck to meet the demands of the logistics industry, the company said.

The Tangra LH1 is future-proofed in that it is ready to accept any autonomous driver, meaning commercial fleets will be able to seamlessly integrate the truck into their operations, and when they are ready to switch to full autonomy, install any autonomous driver onto the platform.

“SQM’s investment and the addition of Mark Fones to our board are a tremendous boost as we build the future of sustainable trucking with the Tangra LH1,” Terraline’s CEO Graham Doorley said in a news release.

“Together, we can create a cleaner and more efficient freight transportation system, and this partnership will be instrumental in achieving that goal.”