Launch of the First Fully Electric Sewer Cleaning Vehicle

With the construction of the electric sewer cleaning vehicle, the companies Designwerk and Kaiser enable the ecological operation of another resource-intensive specialized application – sewer cleaning. With the combination of the innovative technologies of the partner companies, a full replacement of the diesel suction vehicle version is possible. The first vehicles will ensure clean sewers starting mid-2023.

(Winterthur-CH/Schaanwald-LI) The Swiss electromobility company Designwerk and the Liechtenstein sewer cleaning vehicle specialist Kaiser are jointly electrifying the AquaStar sewer cleaning vehicle. This technically demanding project is made possible thanks to Designwerk’s years of experience in the electrification of specialized commercial vehicles and the expertise of Kaiser. Through the collaboration of the two partners, the first fully electric sewer cleaning vehicle is created, which fully technically replaces its diesel counterpart and operates without any limitations.

A Technical and Ecological Pioneer

The Designwerk Mid Cab Sewer Cleaner, the name of the new Designwerk vehicle, allows for a daily operation of up to 8 hours without intermediate charging, thanks to a battery capacity of up to 508 kilowatt-hours. After operation, the electric suction vehicle can be fully recharged with a charging power of up to 350 kW. Two high-performance auxiliary drives are responsible for the uniquely high pumping performance in the market to date. Each provides 104 kW continuous power and 125 kW peak power, making this vehicle the most powerful solution among alternative drives.

The technically innovative vehicle with the Aquastar body from Kaiser is a pioneer on the ecological side: A sophisticated water recovery technology drastically reduces water consumption. The purely electric drive saves up to 21,000 liters of diesel per year. Already after the first year of operation, the fully electric sewer cleaning vehicle achieves a positive CO2 balance. Depending on the regional power mix, the vehicle consumes between 51% and 77% less CO2 than a suction vehicle with conventional drive over ten years.

Special Application on the Road from 2023

With the signing of an exclusive cooperation, the AquaStar sewer cleaning vehicles can already be ordered. The first prototype vehicle is expected in Q3 2023. With this development, Designwerk and Kaiser once again demonstrate their degree of innovation and ensure that electric driving becomes possible in this specialized application.

Technical Data of the Vehicle:

• Brand: Designwerk
• Type: MC Sewer Cleaner 6x2R
• Manufacturer: Designwerk Products AG
• Base Chassis: Volvo FM
• Power: 500 kW / 680 HP
• Installed Battery Capacity: up to 508 kWh
• Transmission: 1-speed transmission, shift-free and clutch-free
• Body: Aquastar by Kaiser AG

Photo: © Designwerk