ZF Secures Major India Order for Electric Axle

For electric city buses and zero-emission public transport fleets, drivetrain efficiency directly impacts range, battery size and operating costs. ZF’s Commercial Vehicle Solutions (CVS) division has secured a multi-year order from a leading Indian OEM for several thousand units of its AxTrax 2 LF electric portal axle, marking a significant expansion of electric driveline technology in the Indian market and export programs. First deliveries are scheduled for 2026.

The AxTrax 2 LF is designed for low-floor battery-electric city buses and integrates propulsion, braking and suspension into a single compact axle system. Compared with its predecessor, the new generation delivers up to 20 percent higher energy efficiency, reducing battery demand and supporting extended vehicle range. For operators, this translates into measurable total cost of ownership (TCO) benefits through lower energy consumption and optimized vehicle architecture.

Integrated architecture for low-floor bus platforms
The AxTrax 2 LF combines electric drive, braking and suspension systems within a fully integrated low-floor configuration. By consolidating multiple subsystems into the axle assembly, the design simplifies vehicle integration for OEMs and frees up space for battery placement and passenger capacity.

This compact architecture is particularly relevant for urban bus platforms, where interior layout, accessibility and battery packaging are critical design constraints. The modular platform also allows manufacturers to adapt the axle configuration to different vehicle lengths and performance requirements while maintaining common core components.

Efficiency gains and TCO impact
Energy efficiency improvements of up to 20 percent compared with the previous generation are achieved through optimized power electronics and drivetrain integration. Lower energy consumption reduces required battery capacity for a given route profile or extends range with the same battery pack.

In high-utilization city bus operations, reduced battery size can lower upfront vehicle cost, while improved energy management decreases operational expenditure. These factors contribute directly to improved TCO, a key parameter in public transport procurement decisions.

High-voltage performance for demanding routes
The axle is equipped with dual permanent magnet synchronous (PSM) hairpin motors, an 800 V silicon carbide (SiC) inverter and advanced oil cooling. This configuration delivers up to 360 kW continuous power and peak torque of 36,800 Nm.

For a 30-ton articulated city bus with a single driven axle, the system enables up to 25 percent gradeability. This performance level supports operation on demanding urban routes with frequent stops, varying passenger loads and steep gradients, without requiring a second driven axle.

Positioning in the electric bus market
Since its debut at Busworld 2023, the AxTrax 2 LF has been positioned as ZF’s next-generation solution for battery-electric city buses. The recent order from India reflects continued demand for integrated electric axle systems that combine high power density, modularity and efficiency within low-floor bus designs.

With first deliveries planned for 2026, the agreement strengthens ZF’s presence in the Indian electric bus segment while supporting the broader transition toward zero-emission public mobility in both domestic and export markets.

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