ZF came to IAA 2024 in Hannover, Germany with a message: it's well prepared for commercial trucking's transformation towards zero emissions. One of the best examples the German supplier had on display was its new hybrid transmission. Called the TraxOn 2 hybrid transmission, it allows for pure electric driving for both hybrid and plug-in hybrid commercial vehicles.
Despite being initially developed for passenger vehicles, Prof. Dr. Peter Laier, member of the ZF board of management, told a small group of North American journalists that there "needed to be bridging technologies" available in the commercial vehicle transmission market "to reduce CO2 emissions even further. And that brought us together in discussions with our customers on the idea: Let's do hybrid. That is a contribution to emission reduction. And it's an opportunity to introduce it in an existing setup."
Laier added that leveraging this transmission tech know-how, combined with ZF's new modular e-mobility platform, motor, and inverter, is a major market opportunity.
He confirmed the new transmission is not bound for North America, though this is subject to change. Shortly after the media briefing, ZF announced an agreement with Chinese commercial vehicle OEM Foton Motors that will see the transmission be further developed for heavy-duty trucks. The deal also includes a joint venture to manufacturer the transmissions.
Without going into detail, Laier pointed out that several European customers have expressed interest in purchasing the TraxOn 2.
The main reason behind ZF's decision not to bring the tech to North America, specifically the US, is because of slow market EV adoption, despite numerous incentive programs currently available.
ZF brought a transparent tractor-trailer showcasing its latest safety and propulsion technologies.Clean Trucking
"The movement from combustion to battery-electric vehicles is going slower in some markets than others," Laier noted. "And even in markets with regulations driving commercial vehicles toward zero-emission technologies, this transition is happening slower than initially assumed. So there needs to be bridging technologies between diesel engine technology and zero-emission powertrains that can still help to reduce CO2 emissions. And we feel this hybrid transmission is an excellent way to achieve those goals."
But it's not all doom and gloom for North America's EV transformation.
"What I think is great in North America is that it's not so much about regulation. It's more about incentivization. And, that is, I think, providing the opportunity to approach emission reduction and [new] technologies in a positive manner, which I think is a good approach."
Among ZF's other new technologies on display is the TrailTrax e-trailer concept. Designed for the electrification of semi-trailers, it combines ZF's AxTrax2 electric drive axle and a modular battery system. Laier said this technology combo reduces emissions by 16 percent because it essentially turns a diesel truck into a hybrid.
