ZF Aftermarket and in-tech ensure clean city air with e-troFit

Bus conversions equip conventional busses with environmentally friendly electric drive

ZF Aftermarket and in-tech ensure clean city air with e-troFit
Systems supplier ZF Aftermarket provides the necessary vehicle components and expertise for an important step towards zero-emission public transport in metropolitan areas.

ZF Aftermarket and engineering company, in-tech, has formed a strategic partnership in order to significantly reduce greenhouse emissions in cities.

 

Helmut Ernst, head of the Aftermarket Division, said: “The markets won’t be ready to provide the necessary volume production of electrically driven vehicles until 2025.

“Until then, converting conventional commercial vehicles to electric drives is an excellent opportunity to substantially support cities in the electrification of public transport and still reach the required climate protection objectives.”

With its broad product and service portfolio, ZF is driving the electrification of commercial vehicles and performs a leading role in the development of zero-emission drive solutions for city vehicles with a limited range.

With CeTrax, an electric central drive developed specifically for city buses, and the AxTrax AVE electric portal axle, ZF is moving towards local, zero-emission public transport.

Helmut added: “CeTrax can be installed directly into the existing vehicle platform without having to make any major modifications on the chassis, axles or differential.”

With maximum power of up to 300 kilowatts and a maximum torque of 4,500 newton meters, CeTrax is equal to conventional drive units when it comes to performance.

The bus accelerates from standing without any torque interruption, so passengers don’t notice a thing.

It also offers significantly lower chassis vibrations and a quieter ride than conventional engines.

How it works

As CeTrax can be combined with single rear drive axles and conventional low-floor axles, it can be installed in low-entry buses and low-floor axle buses of all sizes.

The AxTrax AVE electric portal axle is ideally suited to various types of drives for city buses: whether as a serial hybrid, all-electric drive powered by a fuel cell or battery or from the overhead contact line.

The increased use of the braking energy or – in combination with hybrid drives – the use of smaller combustion engines also helps significantly reduce fuel consumption and pollutant emissions compared to conventional concepts.

Each wheel is driven by a compact, high-speed and liquid-cooled asynchronous motor to keep the axle weight including the integrated motors low.

The maximum engine output is 250 kilowatts and a maximum torque of 22,000 newton meters.

As no separate engine or propshaft is needed, this reduces the amount of space required and the vehicle’s weight.

Space gained means it’s possible to install a more powerful battery or optimize the vehicle’s interior in order to transport more passengers.

No special wheel components are required with the AxTrax AVE.

Tire-rim combinations used in normal buses as well as standard disc brakes can both be used.

The brakes are fitted in the same easy-to-service position as standard axles.

Andreas Hager, head of the smart mobility business unit at in-tech, said: “For many cities and municipalities, procuring new, electrically powered buses means long waits and high purchasing costs.

“This is why e-troFit is an ideal alternative that can be quickly realized.

“The fact that e-troFit was recently awarded the German Mobility Award supports this.”

For further information about AF Aftermarket, select ‘more details’ below.

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