ZF Shows New AxTrax 2 Electric Axle Drives for Commercial Vehicles

ZF has presented the new AxTrax 2 drivelines. They are suitable for distribution vehicles of up to 44 tons as well as trailers. The production start of AxTrax 2 is planned for 2024.

ZF's Commercial Vehicle Solutions (CVS) Division has presented new AxTrax 2 electric axle drives for commercial vehicles. The ZF product range for electric commercial vehicles now includes the all-electric CeTrax 2 center drives, AxTrax 2 axle drives, and E-components. The new, integrated and modular e-drive systems are suitable for light, medium and heavy vehicles as well as trailers. The modularity allows manufacturers to use ZF's complete driveline systems or alternatively combine them with their own components, such as e-motors (PSM), silicon carbide (SiC)-based inverters, an e-drive control unit, e-actuators, and multi-speed transmissions.

The scalable and modular platform approach is expected to increase manufacturers' design freedom. AxTrax 2 is offered in two variants: AxTrax 2 enables 210 kW (286 hp) of continuous power. AxTrax 2 dual with two integrated electric motors is designed for heavy-duty commercial vehicles and offers a continuous output of 380 kW (517 hp). Both models replace the engine, transmission, cardan shaft as well as the conventional axle of the commercial vehicles. If AxTrax 2 is used as an electric drive axle in semitrailers, additional electrical energy can be recovered during braking, which is then temporarily stored in a battery. In addition, the drives can be synchronized with vehicle functions such as braking, ADAS and automated driving systems.