ZF India Pvt Ltd. has received a business nomination from a leading Indian bus manufacturer to supply its AxTrax 2 LF electric portal axle, described by the company as India’s first fully integrated low-floor e-axle for city buses. The nomination, awarded, covers several thousand units under a multi-year supply agreement, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2026.
The AxTrax 2 LF will be deployed in 18-metre articulated buses and 11-metre city buses for both domestic and export markets. The system replaces the traditional engine, transmission and axle setup with a single integrated unit, while retaining the same installation space and mounting points as conventional low-floor axles. This design is intended to simplify vehicle integration and support backward compatibility for manufacturers.
The e-axle is offered in two continuous power variants 260 kW and 360 kW delivering peak torque of up to 36,800 Nm. It integrates two permanent magnet synchronous hairpin motors, paired with dual 800-volt silicon carbide (SiC) inverters and a dedicated electronic control unit. An onboard oil cooling system, incorporating a pump and heat exchanger within the axle assembly, manages thermal performance and lubrication.
ZF states that the configuration improves energy efficiency compared to previous-generation low-floor e-axles under typical urban operating conditions. The 360 kW version is capable of handling gradients exceeding 25% in articulated buses weighing up to 30 tonnes with a single driven axle.
The platform supports both 6×2 and 6×4 driveline configurations and is compatible with battery-electric, hydrogen fuel cell and trolley bus applications. Integrated software functions include regenerative braking, torque vectoring, hill hold, cruise control, axle condition monitoring and over-the-air update capability. The system is designed to comply with ISO 26262 functional safety standards and cybersecurity regulations.
ZF is also offering the AxTrax 2 LF with optional air suspension and wheel-end solutions as part of a modular package, allowing bus manufacturers to tailor drivetrains according to load, terrain and operational needs.
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