Valeo has commercially launched a 48 V two-speed eAxle that replaces the mechanical rear driveline of a 4×4 with an electric rear axle. Launch customer Dacia is using the unit to power its new Hybrid-G 150 4×4 system on the Duster and Bigster, and plans to install it on the Striker as well.

At low speeds, the eAxle uses a short gear ratio, and delivers up to 1,800 Nm of torque to the rear wheels. At higher speeds, it shifts to a long ratio for efficient cruising at up to 140 km/h. The axle can be decoupled from the driveline when four-wheel drive isn’t needed, so it doesn’t sap efficiency on the highway. According to Valeo, the design resolves the long-standing trade-off between low-speed torque and high-speed efficiency that has dogged cheap electric axles.

Speaking of dogs, handling the gear change cleanly is the job of what Valeo calls its Smart Dog Clutch, which uses software rather than extra hardware to synchronize its engagement speed.

The unit delivers peak power of 31 hp, and weighs 41 kg, which Valeo says makes it the most powerful 48 V rear electric powertrain on the market. It is compact enough to drop into existing B-segment platforms, turning a mild hybrid car into one with electric rear-wheel drive.

A conventional mechanical 4×4 burns extra fuel, and the resulting CO₂ emissions carry a rising cost under European rules. Swapping the mechanical hardware for a more efficient electric drive offsets that penalty and keeps the system affordable on entry-level cars, Valeo explains.

Valeo says the eAxle and its control software enable the Duster and Bigster to stay in in electric mode during up to 60% of urban driving.

“This breakthrough technology preserves the iconic 4×4 DNA of the Duster while significantly reducing its CO₂ emissions,” said Xavier Dupont, CEO of Valeo Power Division.

Source: Valeo