ZF is preparing to put its AxTrax 2 LF electric portal axle into production, a city-bus drive unit that cuts average energy consumption by 20 percent in SORT cycles compared with the previous generation. The lower draw lets operators reduce battery capacity requirements while increasing range.

The axle is part of a new ZF electric driveline kit built around standardized components and shared software modules, which the company says improves performance, simplifies vehicle configuration and lowers total cost of ownership across different bus models. Operators can pair it with a new ZF health check software package, a software-as-a-service tool that analyzes e-drive data remotely for condition monitoring and early fault detection. That gives fleets, OEMs and independent fleet-management systems a detailed read on the axle’s condition to improve availability and lower operating costs.

ZF is also offering an oil-free air compressor for electrified commercial vehicles. The e-comp Scroll, designed for medium- and heavy-duty hybrid, battery-electric and fuel-cell vehicles, uses two interlocking scrolls to generate compressed air. At a nominal operating point of 250 liters per minute, noise emissions stay around 67 dB(A), a useful figure as electrified buses get quieter and compressor noise becomes harder to mask.

On safety, ZF has built a General Safety Regulation (GSR)-compliant suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) for buses. The scalable portfolio combines camera, radar and software functions into coordinated systems rather than standalone features, and includes Intelligent Speed Assist and a Blind Spot Information System, plus new Driver Monitoring System and Event Data Recorder functions, all aimed at protecting drivers, passengers and vulnerable road users.

Linking the hardware is ZF Bus Connect, a telematics platform built specifically for buses. It connects driveline, braking and auxiliary systems so operators and manufacturers can monitor vehicle status, optimize fleet performance and support predictive maintenance. Recent additions include battery analytics and condition monitoring for ZF drivetrain hardware such as the AxTrax 2 LF.

“Our focus is on aligning these areas into integrated systems to improve efficiency, safety and reliability while helping to reduce operating costs,” said Frank Burkhart, Senior Vice President of Sales Bus & Coach at ZF’s Commercial Vehicle Solutions division.

Source: ZF