The Cat® Battery Electric Power Unit (BEPU) has been chosen by Doppstadt to power its SWS 6 Spiral Shaft Separator. It will be shown for the first time at IFAT 2026 in Munich, Germany, from May 4-7.
The Cat BEPU is a real-world solution designed to make electrification simpler, faster and more practical for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), helping them offer new power solutions without reinventing their machines.
The BEPU is a compact, plug-and-play solution that can replace a diesel engine in the same space, with the same mounting locations and relative position in the machine. It brings the battery, motor, inverter, onboard charging, cooling and controls together, so an electric power unit can fit where an engine used to sit, and OEMs can use existing chassis platforms as they transition from diesel to electric.
Ease of integration
By solving the integration challenge at the power-unit level, the BEPU helps remove unnecessary complexity and gives OEMs a clearer, faster path forward as power solutions expand. It offers:
- A true drop-in solution
- Instead of maintaining separate designs for diesel and electric variants, OEMs can focus on one core machine architecture and offer customers choices based on application needs. That helps simplify engineering, parts procurement, service and support.
- Speed and simplicity
- Electrification introduces new technologies and components that continue to evolve rapidly. Bringing these elements together into a single, packaged solution reduces the need for OEMs to invest in costly, time-intensive engineering projects. That can shorten development cycles and improve return on investment.
- A faster path to market
- With less redesign and fewer engineering and sourcing hurdles, OEMs can offer electric options sooner, staying responsive as customer expectations, applications and regulations change.
- More flexibility to meet customer needs
- Removing design and development barriers makes it easier for OEMs to deliver the electrification advantages that customers demand. That could be zero-exhaust emissions, less noise, expanded application opportunities: even the potential to lower total cost of ownership by eliminating fuel use and reducing routine maintenance.
See the Cat Battery Electric Power Unit at IFAT
Over the last year, Caterpillar and Cat dealer Zeppelin Power Systems have been working with Doppstadt, a leader in recycling solutions, to explore how they can accelerate their electrification journey while maintaining performance parity with their diesel-powered machines.
Known for their forward-thinking recycling solutions, Doppstadt is a long-time Caterpillar customer that cites the reliability of Cat products, the support delivered by the global dealer network and its local dealer, Zeppelin Power Systems, among the reasons for choosing Cat.
Keen to continue to explore new opportunities and offer its customers a range of options, Doppstadt has worked with teams from Caterpillar and Zeppelin Power Systems to install the BEPU into its SWS 6 Spiral Shaft Separator. The result is a zero-exhaust emissions solution designed for indoor, urban and highly regulated environments.
“Doppstadt have a long history of innovation and work to support their customers’ sustainability goals. This is an exciting trial of an electrified variant of their SWS 6 Spiral Shaft Separator, which delivers zero-exhaust emissions and low noise when in operation,” explains Andy Curtis, customer solutions director at Caterpillar Industrial Power Systems Division.
“The Cat BEPU has enabled the rapid development of this option alongside their diesel variant, with minimal engineering effort. Its intermittent duty cycle, suitability for indoor use, and access to low-power grid energy make the BEPU an ideal fit, with an on-board battery buffering simplifying energy management for end users.”
The prototype machine will be showcased at Doppstadt’s booth FM.709/1 (outdoor area) at IFAT Munich, from May 4–7, 2026. Representatives from Caterpillar Industrial Power System Division will be available on Doppstadt’s stand to talk about the BEPU. A technical deep dive session organized by Zeppelin Power Systems will be held on May 5.
Following the show, Doppstadt plans to begin field trials using the BEPU-powered SWS 6 Spiral Shaft Separator. Insights from real-world operations will help validate performance and inform how this solution will evolve.
