ZF unveils AxTrax 2 next-gen electric powertrain system at ACT Expo
ANAHEIM, California—ZF premiered its all-new AxTrax 2 electric axle platform at the Advanced Clean Transportation Expo.
The integrated and modular e-powertrain system for light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicles is ZF’s latest e-mobility solution. Series production of AxTrax 2 is planned to begin in the U.S. in 2025 and in Europe in late 2024.
“Customers are under tremendous pressure to implement zero-emission technology, and our e-mobility kit allows them to electrify existing platforms, and develop purpose-built platforms, delivering superior total cost of ownership,” said Julien Plenchette, SVP-Americas, commercial vehicle solutions, at ZF Group. “AxTrax 2 is a technology we are incredibly proud of and have been looking forward to offering to the North American market for quite some time. It is an exciting day to bring a portfolio of solutions to customers that supports the business case for electrified commercial vehicles.”
See also: ZF’s CeTrax lite begins series production for light-duty CEVs
The AxTrax 2 axle-based, fully integrated system features a compact design to help maximize the available space for batteries and enhance manufacturers' design flexibility for future vehicle concepts. It can be fully synchronized with key vehicle functions, including braking, ADAS and automated driving systems, to help enhance vehicle safety and efficiency. AxTrax 2 also enables advanced digital and telematics systems via CAN bus to communicate and share e-axle system information.
The AxTrax 2 platform is offered in two variants: AxTrax 2 with one e-drive and AxTrax 2 dual with two integrated e-drives. AxTrax 2 will cover Classes 5-7 commercial vehicles with a single e-axle in a 4x2 or 6x2 or up to Class 8 with two e-axles in 6x4 configuration. Both models of AxTrax 2 are designed to replace the engine, transmission, driveshaft, differential, and conventional axle to electrify a commercial vehicle.
Additional electric powertrain solutions
ZF offers a portfolio of e-mobility solutions as well as e-components developed in-house and specifically designed to meet the requirements of the commercial vehicle market.
Modularity enables manufacturers to use ZF’s full e-powertrain systems, or alternatively "mix and match" their own components, while taking advantage of synergies and common interfaces. These include e-motor, silicon carbide inverter, e-drive control unit, e-actuator, and multispeed transmission.
“ZF has more than 100 years of experience in the global commercial vehicle industry and 30 years in electric driveline technology. These products and designs reap the benefits of our extensive experience in vehicle electrification as well as high volume manufacture of electrification products,” said Christian Feldhaus, director of Commercial Vehicle Driveline Systems, Americas, at ZF Group. “With products located in North America to support customers in this region, we can help ensure [United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement] requirements are met."
