ZF has unveiled its new CeTrax 2 electric central drive – an integrated, modular e-drive system for heavy-duty commercial vehicles. Leveraging in-house developed components, it features two high performance oil-cooled e-motors as well as two integrated 800 Volt silicon carbide (SiC) inverters. CeTrax 2 uses an advanced three-speed gearbox able to perform powershifts.
With all components integrated within an innovative and compact single unit, CeTrax 2 allows manufacturers to offer both conventional ICE and electric drivelines on the same vehicle platform. In addition to enabling the quicker electrification of existing vehicle platforms, it enables high power and torque, light weight design (approx. 385 kg) and enhanced e-drive efficiency of up to 96 percent. With continuous power of 360 kW and peak torque of 24,700 Nm for vehicles up to 44 tons, CeTrax 2’s electric central drive is actioned with smooth and almost imperceptible gear changes due to its seamless powershifting. Building on ZF’s decades of transmission and electrification experience, the gear changes are calculated by the integrated ECU and automatically executed by the e-actuators. Series production of CeTrax 2 is set to commence with a major global truck manufacturer in 2023.
