Production anniversary at ZF’s Commercial Vehicle Solutions division: In May, the ten thousandth unit of the CeTrax electric central drive was produced. The compact electric drive is particularly suitable for electrifying conventional bus model platforms. In addition to bus manufacturers, ZF has been able to tap into other customer segments, such as terminal tractors, as areas of application. CeTrax is designed to be technology-neutral and can be operated either purely battery-electric or with a fuel cell.
Starting point for future generations
‘The CeTrax anniversary shows that an innovative concept, product quality and reliability pay off in terms of unit sales,’ says Winfried Gründler, Head of the Driveline Technology product line in the ZF CVS division. ‘The success story of CeTrax is also the starting point for the next generation of electric drives for commercial vehicles, now with a total weight of up to 44 tonnes.’
The starting signal was given in 2019
Series production began in 2019, just two years after the system was first presented at the Busworld trade fair. CeTrax is a complete system comprising an inverter, electronic control unit and ZF software. It complements the electric axle drive as another electric drive concept for city buses and special-purpose vehicles. With a continuous output of 175 kW, the system is also suitable for demanding urban topographies. From the outset, CeTrax had the advantage of being able to be integrated into existing drive configurations. This made it attractive to commercial vehicle manufacturers who wanted to electrify their existing diesel model platforms. Thanks to its technological openness, CeTrax can be flexibly operated with battery power or via fuel cells.
Industrial series production in Friedrichshafen
What began with small quantities has developed into industrial series production. Today, ZF produces several thousand units per year in Friedrichshafen. The strong demand results from the increasing need for electrification in public transport, as cities and municipalities demand sustainable mobility solutions.
ZF’s mission statement for research and development is clearly defined: clean, safe, comfortable and affordable mobility – for everyone, everywhere. This starts with innovations for passenger cars and commercial vehicles and extends to technologies for construction machinery, marine systems and wind energy.