In the course of the "biggest transformation in the industry since the invention of the combustion engine," transmission manufacturer ZF aims to continue setting the pace and will demonstrate this with hybrid technologies at the IAA Transportation trade fair in Hanover from September 17 to 22. Interesting opportunities are emerging.
A new generation of electric drives is designed to offer everything fleet operators need to electrify their commercial vehicles – from last-mile delivery vans to 44-ton trucks. ZF has also identified the semi-trailer as a potential vehicle for decarbonizing freight transport.
A modular construction concept for step-by-step implementation is offered here by an electric drive axle AxTrax 2 integrated into the trailer and a modular battery system to support recuperation and traction.
Fig.: ZF
In this way, the system transforms a heavy diesel truck into a hybrid vehicle, which can save up to 16 percent on fuel and CO2 emissions. The optional plug-in hybrid version even enables savings of up to 40 percent. In purely electric mode, such a complete solution significantly contributes to extending the vehicle's range.
Thanks to a modular, standardized, and intelligent system called eWorX, all-electric commercial vehicles can also electrically power connected work equipment, such as mixers, dump trucks, or cranes – making them emission-free and quiet. ZF's eWorX combines components like a 50 kW electric motor, an inverter, and a control unit with application-specific software. According to the manufacturer, the concept, developed in close collaboration with vehicle and body manufacturers, is proving extremely successful: Demand for eWorX products is expected to double annually in the coming years.
Distribution
The latest version of eWorX is integrated directly into the truck frame. Here, the drive unit is connected directly to the vehicle's cooling system. This innovative design reduces installation space and allows for use in a wider range of vehicle applications. Furthermore, ZF is announcing the next generation of the eWorX family: a 70 kW, 800 V drive unit with cybersecurity for electric power take-off solutions, as well as a bidirectional, multifunctional I/O device for powering applications in electrified commercial vehicles.
