Automotive supplier Dana (NYSE: DAN) will begin production of its eS9000r e-Axle—the first in a line of Spicer Electrified Zero-6 e-Axles—to support the market launch of the Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation (FCCC) all-electric MT50e medium-duty last-mile delivery vehicle.

Designed with a custom Spicer S130 rear drive axle, the propulsion system for the MT50e application is engineered as a fully integrated e-Axle, including a gearbox and motor, and provides up to 240 kW of power. The e-Axle also includes Dana’s patented, electronically controlled parking pawl system.

“As more and more vehicle manufacturers rely on Dana innovations for their electrified vehicle architectures, we continue to evaluate each application to provide the ideal electrodynamic system for the given vehicle, duty cycle, and customer requirements,” said Ryan Laskey, Dana’s Senior VP of Commercial Vehicle Drive and Motion Systems.

Dana has also announced an expansion of its Spicer Electrified e-Powertrain offerings to include a family of single and tandem e-Axles designed for a wide variety of Class 7 and 8 applications. The Spicer Electrified Zero-8 e-Axles complement Dana’s established heavy-duty e-Propulsion systems, which are currently powering thousands of vehicles around the world.

The new e-Axle portfolio is designed to support a diverse landscape of Class 7 and 8 EV architectures with multi-faceted electric powertrain solutions, including systems for direct drive, and now 4×2, 6×2, and 6×4 multi-speed e-Axle systems.

“Dana has leveraged its experience in global heavy-duty e-Powertrain systems to introduce a complementing family of e-Axles that offer maximum efficiency, performance and reliability,” said Ryan Laskey. “These new product platforms utilize our proven, vertically integrated motors and inverters, and provide our customer with improved packaging and efficiency for their electric vehicle needs.”

The new e-Axles are designed to easily integrate into most existing chassis. The platform includes Dana TM4 motors and inverters, Spicer high-efficiency axle gearing, Graziano synchronizers, transmission controllers, system software, and shift system and controls.

The 4×2, 6×2, and 6×4 configurations are compatible with drum or disc brakes, and are available as completely integrated fully dressed assemblies. The e-Axles range from 52,000 Nm to 69,000 Nm of nominal output torque, and support gross axle weight ratings from 21,000 to 30,000 pounds for single e-Axle configurations, and 40,000 to 52,000 pounds for tandem e-Axle propulsion.

“These new e-Axles are predicated on our most sought-after, field-proven technologies,” Laskey added. “They are currently undergoing testing around the world in both battery-electric and fuel-cell applications and are ready for full-scale adoption as the commercial-vehicle segment continues to progress to fully electrified platforms.”

Dana says it has commitments from global OEM customers, and deliveries will begin in late 2023.

Source: Dana