Electric sweepers: models, battery, charging and noise

If you can charge overnight, the on-board charger is enough. If the machine is to work two shifts, charging between shifts must be quick: the VR17e and VR50e can have DC charging as an option, while the V20e charges in 2–3 hours with the on-board charger.

The three models

The figures below are Bucher's own, from the data sheets:

• CityCat VR17e — 55 kWh lithium iron phosphate, minimum 10 hours of operation. AC: 11 kW on-board charger, 4–5 hours. DC as an option: 45 kW, under 60 minutes. The battery technology is rated for up to 15 000 operating hours
• CityCat V20e — 80 kWh lithium-ion, 335 V, up to 10 hours of sweeping time. 22 kW on-board charger, 2–3 hours
• CityCat VR50e — 137 kWh, 573 V. 22 kW on-board charger gives 5–6 hours; optional 70 kW DC charging gives 1.5–2 hours

GS 0900R Elektro: walk-behind sweeper for indoor sweeping

GS 0900R Elektro is a walk-behind sweeper with a 12 V, 0.45 kW electric motor and a 12 V/66 Ah battery, and it is supplied with a battery charger. The machine is intended for indoor use, such as sweeping warehouses, garages and cowsheds.

The radial brush is 90 cm in diameter, can rotate both ways and is height-adjustable.

Noise decides when you can work

The difference you notice most with an electric machine is not the emissions but the sound. The V20 with a diesel engine is stated at 97 dB(A) sound power, the V20e at 92 dB(A). The VR17e is at 91 dB(A). Bucher states that the noise level makes round-the-clock operation possible, including at night, on both the V20e and the VR17e.

Driving licence and weight

The VR17e has a gross vehicle weight of 3500 kg and can be driven on an ordinary car driving licence. It is worth working this out before you look at payload: the V20e takes a 2100 kg payload compared with the VR17e's 1400 kg, but has a gross vehicle weight of 4800 kg and is therefore outside the 3.5-tonne class.

Checklist before you order

• How many hours a day will the machine run — one shift or two?
• What electrical capacity is there where the machine is parked at night? The charging times Bucher states for the on-board charger apply to charging at 11 kW (VR17e) or 22 kW (V20e and VR50e) through the Type 2 inlet
• Is there space and power for a DC charger, if two shifts is the answer?
• What driving licence do the people who will drive it hold?

We review the installation with you

The charging point has to be in place as well as the machine. Contact us early, and we will go through what needs to be ordered and in what order.