ZF supplies e-axles for electric buses in India once again

German supplier ZF, based in Friedrichshafen, has received an order for the delivery of several thousand electric portal axles of the AxTrax 2 LF type from India. These axles are to be installed in electric low-floor city buses. The order spans multiple years.

Last year, ZF announced an order to supply several thousand electric drive axles to a leading bus manufacturer in India. The key difference this time is the model: in 2025, the order involved the AxTrax 2, which was intended for use in electric intercity buses. Now, however, the focus has shifted to the AxTrax 2 LF, where the abbreviation LF stands for Low Floor. This variant was specifically developed to meet the demands of public transport, where low-entry access is essential.

Once again, ZF has not disclosed the exact manufacturer—India’s most prominent e-bus manufacturers include Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland/Switch Mobility, and JBM EV. Last year, JBM EV announced its plans to expand its electric bus operations into Europe. Additionally, in a product datasheet for its electric solo bus Ecolife e12, JBM EV explicitly references ZF e-axles, though it does not specify the exact model.

The AxTrax 2 LF was unveiled at Busworld 2023. It is available in two variants, with continuous power outputs of 260 kW and 360 kW and peak torques of 22,700 Nm and 37,300 Nm. Compared to its predecessor, the AxTrax AVE, the modern e-axle requires 20% less energy. This reduction lowers the required battery size, enabling operators to achieve lower costs, greater range, or a combination of both.

“This order highlights ZF’s strength as a trusted partner in advancing zero-emission mobility and reflects the continuing strong global demand for products across all key commercial vehicle domains,” said Andreas Moser, Head of the Commercial Vehicle Solutions division and responsible for the India Region for ZF.

The fully integrated low-floor axle combines drive, braking, and chassis systems in a compact architecture, which simultaneously increases the available space for batteries and passengers. The system uses dual PSM hairpin motors and an 800-volt SiC inverter. According to ZF, this enables a 30-tonne articulated bus to achieve a gradient capability of 25% with just one driven axle.

zf.com