ZF Friedrichshafen has received a multi-year supply agreement with a leading Indian bus manufacturer for its AxTrax 2 LF electric portal axle, intended for use in battery-electric city buses.
The contract covers several thousand units for vehicles serving the Indian domestic market as well as selected export programmes. The first deliveries under the agreement are planned for 2026.
The AxTrax 2 LF axle is designed for low-floor battery-electric buses. It integrates propulsion, braking and suspension components within a single axle system. This layout supports low-floor vehicle architecture and can help manufacturers manage packaging space for batteries and passenger areas.
ZF states that the AxTrax 2 LF delivers up to 20 percent higher energy efficiency than the previous AxTrax generation. Improved efficiency can reduce energy consumption and may allow operators to specify smaller battery packs or achieve extended operating range, depending on duty cycle and route conditions.
The system uses dual permanent magnet synchronous hairpin motors, an 800-volt silicon carbide (SiC) inverter and an oil-cooled design. ZF reports continuous power output of up to 360 kW and peak torque of 36,800 Nm.
According to the company, this configuration enables a 30-tonne articulated city bus to achieve a climbing capability of up to 25 percent using a single driven axle, subject to vehicle specification and operating parameters.
ZF states that the modular platform is intended to help bus manufacturers standardise vehicle layouts across different models and operating requirements. The company links the updated axle design to lower total cost of ownership through improved energy efficiency and integrated system architecture.
The Indian order forms part of ZF’s wider electric commercial vehicle driveline business, which includes axles and integrated drive systems for buses and trucks in multiple markets.
