Dana Integrated E-Axle For Workhorse

Dana Inc. and Workhorse Group Inc. have announced the design, development, and production of a city delivery vehicle featuring Dana’s Spicer Electrified integrated e-drive axle.

Expanding the established Spicer Electrified portfolio, the new integrated e-Drive axle for the Workhorse vehicle, is the model eS9000r and is designed to deliver efficiency for its city delivery duty cycle while offering a weight savings of 388 lbs., thus allowing for higher payload and battery capacity.

Designed to be a drop-in to existing suspensions, the eS9000r is designed for Class 4, 5 and 6 trucks and is an integrated motor and axle power system with a peak power of 237 kW  Nominal voltage is 400 to 650 VAC.  It has a water glycol cooled motor and inverter and also features an integrated electronically controlled park feature.  Weight, with disc brakes is 816 lbs. (370 kg).

Due to the integrated design, the Dana e-Drive axle also is designed to offer optimized packaging with more chassis space to position batteries inside the frame rails and accommodate features such as side steps that are common with medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.

Workhorse said it has been developing sustainable electric vehicle (EV) solutions since 2007 and has nearly three million miles on Workhorse EVs in real-world, last-mile delivery routes.

 “Workhorse’s extensive development background and manufacturing experience in the EV space provide the industry-leading capabilities we sought in a strategic partner,” said Mark Wallace, executive vice president of Dana and president of Dana Commercial Driveline Technologies. “With our 20 years of electrification proficiency and multiple electrified products already in the marketplace, the integrated e-Drive axle solution leverages proven competencies that will enhance the Workhorse electric vehicle architecture to deliver maximum efficiency at a reduced system weight.”

“Our innovative last-mile delivery EV platforms are based on our years of learnings and road-proven electrification expertise. We look forward to enhancing our EV offerings with Dana’s leadership position in drivetrain and propulsion technologies,” said Steve Burns, chief executive officer of Workhorse. “This alliance uniquely positions us to jointly develop sustainable solutions that will encourage city delivery fleets to go electric and feel confident in the vehicle’s performance and cost of ownership.”