ZF Introduces Electric Central Drive Cetrax 2

ZF has shown the Cetrax 2 electric central drive. An integrated three-speed transmission and a slim housing are designed to improve the climbing ability and off-road capability of special vehicles.  

ZF presented Cetrax 2, a new electric powertrain solution for special vehicles. With this, the company wants to support the change of the construction industry towards more sustainability. The electric central drive is also to be available as a component of the modular driveline system that ZF recently unveiled. 

"With CeTrax 2, we are now adding another powerful ‘green’ option to our existing portfolio", says Bernd Kownatzki, Head of Sales & Technical Acquisition for Special Vehicle Driveline Systems at ZF. "The electric central drive pays off on our Group’s goal to electrify all vehicle types. In this way, we actively support sustainability – whether on the road, off-highway, or in construction."

Integrated three-speed transmission

According to ZF, Cetrax 2’s key benefits include an integrated three-speed transmission, which – along with a system weight of 385 kg – is said to allow for high and fast gradeability even with large loads and on steeper slopes. Its slim body also allows for greater ground clearance, improving the vehicles’ off-road capabilities, according to the company. Other features reportedly include 360 kW of continuous power and 24,700 Nm of peak torque. Two electric motors with hairpin technology, combined with two integrated 800-V silicon carbide-based inverters and optimized power electronics, are said to enable efficiency of up to 96 %. Cetrax 2 moves vehicles up to 44 t total weight.

Cetrax 2 in ZF’s modular driveline system

Cetrax 2 fits into the modular ZF driveline concept which the company presented this summer. In addition to Cetrax 2, the available components of the complete solution include either the EcoLife Offroad 2 seven-speed automatic transmission or the Traxon transmission platform in combination with the TC27 transfer case.