ZF India Wins OEM Nomination for AxTrax 2 LF Axle
ZF India Pvt. Ltd. has obtained a significant business nomination from a prominent Indian OEM for its AxTrax 2 LF electric portal axle. This advanced technology will drive 18-metre articulated buses and 11-metre city bus applications for both local and international markets, highlighting ZF’s dedication to sustainable transport and innovation in commercial vehicles.
The business contract, obtained in October 2025, encompasses several thousand units as part of a multi-year supply initiative, with deliveries starting in 2026.
AxTrax 2 LF is a small, lightweight, and entirely integrated low-floor e-axle intended to substitute traditional engine, transmission, and axle systems in urban buses. Its compact design optimizes space for batteries and passengers while providing a quiet, seamless ride.
Significantly, it occupies the same installation space and utilizes the same mounting points as both the previous generation and standard low-floor axles, allowing for easier interchangeability and backward compatibility.
Based on ZF's modular eDrive platform, the AxTrax 2 LF integrates two permanent magnet synchronous (PMS) hairpin motors, two separate 800 Volt SiC inverters, and a high-efficiency ECU. A sophisticated oil cooling system that combines an e-pump and heat exchanger within the axle dynamically enhances efficiency, temperature control, and lubrication, promoting ongoing performance and longevity. This adaptable platform accommodates 6x2 and 6x4 setups and is suitable for battery-electric, hydrogen fuel cell, and trolley bus applications, providing versatility for OEMs and preparation for zero-emission transport. It satisfies high safety and cybersecurity standards and includes strong thermal management capabilities.
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Akash Passey, President - ZF Region India says, “AxTrax 2 LF enables OEMs to design buses that maximize passenger and battery space while delivering superior efficiency and reliability.” Its compatibility with battery-electric; fuel cell and trolley bus platforms enable ZF to address the zero-emission mobility aspirations and reinforces the country’s emerging role in next-generation commercial vehicle technology”.
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“By combining propulsion, braking, suspension, low noise, comfort, safety and intelligent electronics within a compact architecture, ZF helps OEMs simplify vehicle design and accelerate development timelines. Our focus remains on partnering with customers to enable reliable, efficient and future-ready solutions for zero-emission transportation in India,” saysParamjit Singh Chadha, Sr. Vice President - CVS, ZF Group (Region India).
The higher-powered variant enables more than 25percent climbing capability in articulated buses up to 30 tonnes with a single driven axle and lower energy consumption versus the previous low-floor e-axle in typical urban duty cycles.
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Beyond hardware, the system integrates advanced software functionalities such as axle condition monitoring, hill hold, cruise control, acceleration limit, torque vectoring, creep function, regenerative braking, cybersecurity and readiness for Over-the-Air (OTA) software updates.