Swepac launches electric variant of forward-reverse compactor

Swepac’s new FB 500B forward-reverse compactor at IRE 2026 (Image: KHL Group)

The FB 500B forward-reverse compactor, showcased at the International Rental Exhibition (IRE) in Maastricht last week (2-4 June) has a centrifugal force of 66kn, which is the same as its diesel equivalent, and weighs 460kg.

With a 10kW DC motor linked to a 7.5kWh lithium-ion battery, it can operate for up to two hours, with a four-hour charging time (on a 40A charger).

It has been designed for work in trenches, tunnels, urban areas, and indoor construction where combustion engines either aren’t permitted or are less desirable.

Swepac’s managing director Anders Johansson said that legislation was driving increased demand for electric equipment, with many new projects demanding emission-free machinery, particularly in markets like Sweden, Norway and the Netherlands.

“Some rental companies in Sweden are now at 50% electric and 50% diesel, with some even higher than that because they are considering what they want their fleet to look life in five years’ time”, he said.

He conceded that there is still a price differential between diesel and electric machines but said he expected prices to come down to an extent.

While Swepac does not calculate total cost of ownership (TCO), leaving that to rental companies instead, he said that lower maintenance costs made for a stronger TCO argument for electric machines like the FB 500B.