eActros
A giant power bank on wheels
Swedish company Pollex and No Dig Alliance have been cleaning and renewing water and wastewater pipelines without excavation since the 1980s. Now, they may have become the first in Europe to operate a fully electric specialist vehicle for the job: a Mercedes‑Benz eActros 600 that powers the entire system from its own battery. No external diesel generators required.
eActros renews pipelines without a drop of diesel
One of Pollex’s specialist services is trenchless pipeline rehabilitation using flexible liners. The process requires purpose-built vehicles equipped with powerful pumps and other specialist equipment. Pollex has developed its own vehicles for the job – and has now built its first fully electric version, based on an eActros 600.
“The truck is basically a giant power bank on wheels,” says Hans Andreasson, Head of Development at Pollex.
The truck’s battery supplies DC power, which is converted to AC and delivers up to 45 kW – enough to run the pumps and other equipment on site, as well as maintaining the correct temperature in the control room.
“The truck is basically a giant power bank on wheels.”
And the energy equation leaves plenty in reserve. A typical installation consumes just 40–100 kWh per day, while the truck has a battery capacity of around 600 kWh. That leaves roughly 500 kWh for driving to and from the worksite – enough for approximately 500 kilometres of driving.
“Our eActros has exceeded all expectations and works extremely well, both locally and on projects further afield. The installation team is very pleased with its performance,” says Joakim Lindholm, Regional Manager for Flexible Liners at Pollex.
With no exhaust emissions at the worksite, the truck is equally suited to environmental zones, water protection areas and busy city centres. Low noise levels also make it possible to work at night or in residential areas with considerably less disturbance to local residents.
Beyond the electric driveline and power supply, the vehicle has been designed around the people who use it every day. A control console with a clear and intuitive interface helps make operation both easier and safer.
The conclusion is straightforward: trenchless pipeline rehabilitation can be carried out without diesel-powered support systems and without compromising performance. An exhaust-free worksite, lower noise levels and improved energy efficiency mark a significant step forward for electrification in an industry that already avoids huge amounts of excavation.
Did you like this article? Let us know!