Yard tractors, also called terminal tractors or shunters, move trailers and containers around ports, rail terminals and distribution centres all day. As operators switch to electric models, charging has to fit around tight shift patterns in yards where every metre of space is working space. MPMC's BCH Series mobile BESS chargers bring fast DC charging into the yard without permanent installation, and can be repositioned as yard layouts change.
Why Mobile Charging Suits Yard Operations
Charging in Short Windows
Electric yard tractors are often topped up during breaks and shift changes. The BCH-600-400, BCH-800-600 and BCH-500-1000 deliver 400 kW to 600 kW through two 350 A CCS2 guns with 6 m cables, charging two tractors at once, and the BCH-800-600's 1C charge and discharge suits rapid turnaround.
Because each unit stores energy between sessions, it can deliver this power from a modest yard supply: the BCH-800-600 draws 280 kW while charging at up to 600 kW, so tractors are topped up quickly without straining the terminal's connection.
Flexible Positions in a Busy Yard
Mobile units can sit at the edge of trailer parking, near the workshop or beside the gatehouse, and move when the yard is reorganised. The BCH-275-200 rides on a 3.5-tonne trailer with forklift pockets, and the larger heavy-duty units can be relocated across the yard or between terminals as needs change.
Each unit is self-contained, so installation needs no trenching or new switchgear, and the yard can keep operating while charging equipment is positioned and commissioned.
MPMC BCH-500-1000 mobile BESS charger fast-charging a truck through its CCS2 charging gun.
Table 1. BCH models for electric yard tractor fleets
|
Model |
DC charging |
Storage |
Grid draw |
Yard role |
|
BCH-275-200 |
150 kW (2 x 250 A) |
203.5 kWh |
80 kW |
Smaller yards; easy repositioning |
|
BCH-600-400 |
400 kW (2 x 350 A) |
407 kWh |
280 kW |
Shift-change top-ups for several tractors |
|
BCH-800-600 |
600 kW (2 x 350 A) |
610.6 kWh |
280 kW |
Rapid turnaround; 1C performance |
|
BCH-500-1000 |
500 kW (2 x 350 A) |
1,075 kWh |
560 kW |
Large terminals; round-the-clock operation |
Note: The table shows selected models; the BCH Series also includes the BCH-80-70 and BCH-60-70.
Proven at a UK Logistics Port
At a UK logistics port, electric trucks serving four-hour port routes previously needed 10-hour charging cycles because of the local grid connection. Eight MPMC BCH-275-200 units, combined with solar, lifted charging capacity beyond the grid connection and moved the operation to near-continuous charging. In the Netherlands, a BCH-275-200 and BCH-500-1000 combination charges vehicles from renewable energy at a port and logistics site.
For terminals introducing electric tractors in stages, this approach lets charging capacity grow unit by unit alongside the fleet, without waiting for grid works to complete before the first tractors go into service.
MPMC BCH-600-400 mobile BESS charger with dual CCS2 guns for heavy vehicle charging.
More Than a Charger in the Yard
BCH units also power the yard. AC output of 200 kW on the BCH-600-400 and BCH-800-600 and 500 kW on the BCH-500-1000 runs workshop tools, lighting and gate systems, with UPS-grade output on the two largest models. Every model runs an EMS with 4G and OCPP 1.6 so charging data flows into the terminal's operating systems, and units reach full operation within 24 hours of arrival.
Table 2. Yard operation needs and BCH features
|
Yard need |
BCH feature |
Benefit |
|
Short charging windows |
400-600 kW; dual 350 A guns |
Tractors back in service quickly |
|
Modest grid capacity |
Battery buffering; 280-560 kW input |
High power without grid upgrade |
|
Changing layouts |
Mobile, heavy-duty and trailer formats |
Charging moves with the yard plan |
|
Yard power |
AC output up to 500 kW; UPS-grade on large models |
Workshop and gate systems supported |
|
System integration |
4G EMS, OCPP 1.6, open API |
Data in terminal management systems |
Blade LFP batteries rated for 6,000 cycles at 90% depth of discharge and liquid-cooled packs on the larger models are built for the daily cycling of yard work. BCH-275-200 and larger models carry a 3-year system warranty and a 5-year battery performance warranty.
C4 anti-corrosion coating is standard, with C5 available on the BCH-800-600 and BCH-500-1000 for coastal ports, and CE-certified aerosol fire protection is built in. MPMC supports each terminal with design consultation, commissioning by MPMC engineers and remote diagnostics through its SCADA/EMS cloud platform.
Planning Yard Tractor Charging With MPMC
• Count electric yard tractors and their daily energy use
• Map shift patterns and charging windows
• Identify yard positions and available supply
• Connect units to terminal systems via OCPP 1.6
• Contact MPMC at sales@mpmc-china.com or WhatsApp +86 150 0085 4420 for a yard charging plan
https://www.mpmc-group.com/
MPMC Powertech Corp.
