ZF Commercial Vehicles Innovation to Shape the Future of Transportation

Friedrichshafen, Germany- ZF Commercial Vehicles Solutions division has developed the TraXon 2 Hybrid, a new hybrid transmission. Part of the TraXon family, this technology supports decarbonized mobility by enabling commercial vehicle operators to significantly reduce carbon emissions while maintaining the benefits of a combustion engine.

With extensive experience in hybrid technologies for passenger cars, ZF adapts these advancements for commercial vehicles. This capability allows ZF's CVS division to develop and produce key technologies for the commercial vehicle industry.

Professor Dr. Peter Laier, Member of the ZF Board of Management and responsible for the Commercial Vehicle Solutions Division, said “In developing the TraXon 2 Hybrid, we demonstrate how synergies across our divisions enable us to address customer needs swiftly and flexibly to create viable technologies to decarbonize commercial vehicles efficiently. In doing so, we not only meet the shifting needs of the industry but also position ZF as a strong and reliable partner that is setting the pace of transformation with a very flexible portfolio and a very flexible production.”

ZF's extensive product portfolio meets the diverse needs of commercial vehicle manufacturers and fleet operators. With innovations like the cubiX vehicle motion control system and next-generation electric drives, ZF consistently develops and industrializes new technologies. This capability allows ZF to offer solutions for smarter, safer, and more sustainable vehicles. In 2023, the CVS division achieved strong results, with 20% organic growth, outperforming the market's 15% growth. 

Towards zero emissions, ZF's next-generation electric drivelines offer diverse solutions for battery electric and fuel cell vehicles. Their E-Mobility Kit, including CeTrax 2, CeTrax 2 dual, and AxTrax 2 series, enables the production of zero-emission vehicles. The AxTrax 2 can be integrated into trailers to convert ICE trucks into hybrids, potentially saving up to 40% in emissions with the plug-in variant. At ZF Global Technology Day, ZF presented its Braking and e-Drive Synergy Program, which optimizes the electric drive and EBS brake control, enhancing recuperation, range, and launch capabilities. 

ZF's digital fleet orchestration platform, SCALAR, uses real-time AI for automated decision-making and efficiency improvements, benefiting fleet managers and OEMs with performance insights. SCALAR works with both human-driven and automated vehicles. ZF's cubiX vehicle motion control system converts virtual driving instructions into real vehicle motions, ensuring stability, safety, and performance for conventional and electric commercial vehicles. Successfully tested in real-life conditions, cubiX simplifies vehicle implementation, supporting automation and the transition to software-defined vehicles.

Towards zero accidents, ZF excels in advanced safety systems for commercial vehicles, offering a broad product portfolio from components to full systems. Leveraging safety platforms and technical expertise from its passenger car divisions, including radar and camera technologies, ZF helps customers meet regional safety regulations. This integration showcases how ZF’s commercial vehicles division benefits from shared competencies within the ZF Group.