Caterpillar will show a prototype Cat Battery Electric Power Unit (BEPU) for the first time at IFAT Munich 2026, integrated into a Doppstadt SWS 6 Spiral Shaft Separator.
The prototype is scheduled to appear at Doppstadt’s booth FM.709/1 (outdoor area) during the show, which runs May 4 to May 7, 2026, at Messe München.
A true drop-in solution
The system is being positioned as a modular electrification package for equipment manufacturers. Rather than developing a bespoke electric drivetrain for each model, the BEPU is intended to package core components into a single assembly.
The BEPU prototype is designed to fit within the space typically occupied by a diesel engine, using the same mounting points and a comparable position in the machine. It integrates the battery, electric motor, inverter, onboard charging, cooling, and controls into a single unit, enabling OEMs to adapt existing chassis platforms as they add electric variants.
The BEPU is presented as a self-contained module aimed at easing integration and reducing redesign work, while limiting the number of new systems OEMs must engineer and validate. A shared architecture could also cut duplication between diesel and electric variants, simplifying parts and service planning.
Removing design and development barriers makes it easier for OEMs to deliver the electrification advantages that customers demand. For the BEPU-powered SWS 6, that could be zero-exhaust emissions, less noise, and expanded application opportunities for indoor and urban work, with the potential to lower total cost of ownership by eliminating fuel use and reducing routine maintenance.
Collaboration with Doppstadt and Zeppelin Power Systems
Caterpillar has worked for roughly a year with Doppstadt and Cat dealer Zeppelin Power Systems to integrate the prototype into the SWS 6. The application is suited to indoor, urban, and highly regulated environments, where exhaust and noise constraints can be decisive.
“This is an exciting trial of an electrified variant of SWS 6 Spiral Shaft Separator, which delivers zero-exhaust emissions and low noise when in operation. The Cat BEPU has enabled the development of this option alongside their diesel variant.”
Said Andy Curtis, customer solutions director at Caterpillar’s Industrial Power Systems Division
After IFAT, Doppstadt plans to start field trials with the BEPU-powered SWS 6 to gather operational data and validate performance in real-world conditions.
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