Cat® Unveils Battery Electric Power Unit at IFAT 2026, Turning Electrification Into a Drop-In Solution

Electrifying Industrial Equipment: Cat® BEPU Makes Its Debut at IFAT 2026

On May 1, 2026, Caterpillar announced the first public showcasing of its prototype Cat® Battery Electric Power Unit (BEPU), marking a significant step forward in the electrification of industrial machinery.

The debut will take place at IFAT 2026 in Munich from May 4–7, where the BEPU will be integrated into a Doppstadt SWS 6 Spiral Shaft Separator.

A Practical Approach to Electrification

The Cat BEPU is engineered as a real-world solution to simplify and accelerate the transition from diesel to electric power for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

Rather than requiring extensive redesigns, the BEPU enables manufacturers to adopt electrification within existing machine architectures.

This compact, plug-and-play system is designed to directly replace a diesel engine within the same spatial footprint and mounting configuration.

By integrating key components including the battery, electric motor, inverter, onboard charger, cooling system, and control units into a single package, the BEPU allows electric power systems to occupy the exact position traditionally held by combustion engines.

Simplifying Integration for OEMs

One of the BEPU’s primary advantages lies in how it addresses integration complexity at the power-unit level. This approach delivers several operational and strategic benefits:

• Drop-in compatibility: OEMs can avoid maintaining separate diesel and electric designs, instead focusing on a unified machine platform adaptable to different power options.
• Reduced engineering burden: By consolidating evolving electric technologies into a single unit, the BEPU minimizes the need for extensive in-house development, lowering costs and shortening development timelines.
• Accelerated market entry: With fewer redesign and sourcing challenges, manufacturers can bring electric variants to market more quickly.
• Customer-focused flexibility: OEMs can more easily meet increasing demand for low-emission, low-noise equipment while potentially reducing total cost of ownership through lower fuel and maintenance requirements.

Collaboration Driving Innovation

The BEPU’s debut application comes through collaboration between Doppstadt, Caterpillar, and Zeppelin Power Systems. Together, they have integrated the BEPU into Doppstadt’s SWS 6 Spiral Shaft Separator an established machine used in recycling operations.

Doppstadt, known for its forward-thinking recycling solutions, selected Caterpillar based on product reliability and the strength of its global dealer network.

The partnership aims to accelerate electrification without compromising performance.

The resulting prototype offers a zero-exhaust-emissions solution tailored for indoor, urban, and highly regulated environments areas where diesel-powered equipment faces increasing restrictions.

Andy Curtis, Customer Solutions Director at Caterpillar’s Industrial Power Systems Division, highlighted the significance of the project, noting that the BEPU enabled rapid development of an electric variant alongside the diesel version with minimal engineering effort.

He also emphasized the system’s suitability for intermittent duty cycles and its ability to leverage low-power grid energy, with onboard battery buffering simplifying energy management for users.

Live Demonstration and Future Outlook

Visitors to IFAT 2026 can view the prototype at Doppstadt’s outdoor booth (FM.709/1), where representatives from Caterpillar will be available to discuss the BEPU in detail.

 A technical deep-dive session hosted by Zeppelin Power Systems is scheduled for May 5.

Following the exhibition, Doppstadt plans to initiate field trials of the BEPU-powered separator.

These real-world evaluations will provide critical insights into performance, efficiency, and long-term viability, helping shape the future development of electric power solutions in heavy equipment.

The introduction of the Cat Battery Electric Power Unit represents a strategic shift in how industrial electrification is approached.

By focusing on compatibility, integration simplicity, and practical deployment, Caterpillar and its partners are lowering the barriers to entry for OEMs and accelerating the transition toward cleaner, more sustainable machinery.