Hendrickson debuts electric drive axle for medium-duty trucks

Hendrickson unveiled a new high-efficiency, lightweight electric drive axle for medium-duty trucks and buses Monday at the ACT Expo.

Developed in partnership with Driventic, the ELECTRAAX system is engineered for Class 6 and 7 vehicles. By integrating the axle, gearbox, motor, and inverter into a single optimized ePowertrain, Hendrickson aims to help manufacturers either extend vehicle range or reduce the number of heavy batteries required.

The system is available in capacities up to 23,000 pounds.

Efficiency and performance

The ELECTRAAX features an application-specific architecture that Hendrickson claims delivers up to 94% system efficiency. According to the company, this elevated energy efficiency can extend a vehicle’s operating range by as much as 40% compared to traditional configurations.

Key technical highlights include:

• Integrated design: The consolidation of the motor and inverter into the axle assembly unlocks packaging space for OEMs and reduces overall vehicle weight by up to 357 pounds.
• Single-speed gearbox: Optimized for the stop-and-go conditions of the delivery market, the gearbox uses cylindrical parallel shaft gears. This design reduces friction and power loss typically found in 90-degree hypoid gearing or multi-speed systems.
• High-performance inverter: The unit is ISO 26262 functional safety compliant and utilizes the latest IGBT technology to ensure high control accuracy and cybersecurity.

Simplified integration

Hendrickson designed the ELECTRAAX with a modular framework to simplify chassis integration for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). The motor is mounted externally, allowing for easier servicing without the need to disrupt the internal gear train.

The axle also supports full motor-torque regenerative braking, which assists in energy recovery during deceleration to further maximize the battery life of medium-duty fleets.