Atlas Copco has expanded its portable electric product portfolio to include a battery-driven portable screw air compressor. The B-Air 185-12 is the first of its kind within the global industrial marketplace and represents a major milestone in Atlas Copco’s roadmap towards a sustainable future.

The B-Air 185-12 features 5-12 bar of pressure, a stable flow rate of 5.4-3.7 m³/min and a 55kWh battery storage capacity.

With power delivered from its onboard power pack, in operation a fully charged unit is independent of the need for fuel or a local power source to plug into and has the capability to perform for up to a full typical work shift. In turn, it provides both portability and productivity for those working on sites where regular access to electricity is not practical.

“We are committed to accelerating the transition away from carbon-dependency and towards renewable energy sources,” Atlas Copco, Portable Air Division product marketing manager of sustainability and digitalisation Maarten Vermeiren says.

“By introducing the first battery portable screw compressor, we want to play our part in enabling a sustainable transformation and help build a better tomorrow – for society and the planet alike.”

Making the switch from an internal combustion engine (ICE) to electric motor brings with it a host of benefits, including less downtime and maintenance requirements. Due to having far fewer moving (and therefore wearing) parts compared to a diesel-powered unit, the electric B-Air 185-12 only needs to be serviced every 2,000 hours, as opposed to 500 hours for a typical ICE-powered unit.

The machine’s variable speed drive (VSD) and permanent magnet motor drives down the total cost of ownership, automatically adjusting the motor speed to match air demand in real-time and increasing energy efficiency by up to 70%.

Through Atlas Copco’s rigorous testing process, which includes rapid aging testing under harsh conditions and climactic chamber testing, the B-Air 185-12 has been proven to perform optimally even in the most extreme of climatic conditions – ranging from +45°C to a glacial -25°C; and 4,500m above sea level.