ZF’s CeTrax lite begins series production

ZF’s Commercial Vehicle Solutions (CVS) division announced that its new CeTrax lite electric central drive has entered series production at the company’s Friedrichshafen, Germany, facility. Using synergies from ZF’s development and production of passenger car drives, the new driveline is adapted to use in light commercial vehicles. Designed as a highly integrated electric drive, CeTrax lite provides significant advantages for manufacturers worldwide, particularly supporting emission-free urban and last mile deliveries, ZF said.

ZF has begun series production of its new CeTrax lite electric central drive at its Friedrichshafen, Germany, facility. (Photo: ZF)

The technology has already received orders from Asia and the Americas.

“As an electric central drive, CeTrax lite allows our customers to electrify their existing vehicle platforms. This proves our technical approach and further demonstrates the trust customers are placing in our electric solutions,” said Winfried Gründler, head of Product Line for Driveline Systems with ZF’s Commercial Vehicle Solutions division. “Designed for silent, emission-free inner-city and ‘last mile’ freight delivery, CeTrax lite provides leading levels of performance and efficiency. As such it represents an important new milestone in our ‘Next Generation Mobility’ strategy and reinforces our commitment to decarbonization of the industry.”

Designed to provide a turnkey solution to support the needs of light-duty commercial vehicles, ZF’s CeTrax lite technology supports the architectures of conventionally fueled vehicles as well as manufacturers’ electrification strategies. In the development, ZF has leveraged in-house developed components and wider eMobility system synergies including sharing test benches in Friedrichshafen.

The CeTrax lite central drive has a peak output of 150 kW and targets light-duty commercial vehicles. (Photo: ZF)

Targeting light commercial vehicles up to 7.5 tons, CeTrax lite has a peak output of 150 kW and a maximum torque of 1500 Nm (1106 lb. ft.). The optimized compact design of CeTrax lite helps maximize space for electric components and batteries, ZF said. The module is a fully integrated system, housing the electric motor as well as a single-speed transmission stage and power electronics. In addition to its enhanced flexibility, the system offers a light-weight design at around 120 kg (264 lb.).

One of the first customers is Japanese vehicle manufacturer Isuzu, which will install the drive in its new ELF EV.