ZF's New Axle to Bring Zero Emissions Driving to Pickups

As ZF prepares for the future of electrification, the company announced its eBeam Axle, a solid rear axle for medium-duty pickup trucks.

"We are taking our expertise in beam axle technology, e-motors, inverters, and brakes to bring to the market the first truck electric beam axle with an integrated inverter featuring highly efficient SiC technology," ZF stated in its news release.

The eBeam Axle features e-motors to support power and torque levels up to 350kW and 16,000 Nm per axle, according to ZF.

The axle can be combined with:

• ZF’s Active Kinematic Control (AKC) rear axle steering enhances comfort and driving safety.
• limited slip differential.
• park lock.
• brakes.
• tune shock absorbers.
• steering systems for the front axle.

The eBeam Axle can also be combined with the Active Kinematic Control (AKC) rear axle.

ZF added that a drop-in solution can be used in electric vehicle architectures and replace the conventional ICE drive axle without modification of existing suspension configurations.

"Another bonus is the high level of modularity; we offer components and architectures in 400-volt and 800-volt," said Dr. Jörg Trampler, program manager of eBeam Axle. "Customers can, for example, use electric motors or inverters from the large ZF portfolio, resulting in positive economies of scale for them."