ZF’s TraXon 2 Hybrid Transmission Powers Decarbonization

ZF Commercial Vehicle Solutions (CVS) division has received industry recognition for its new hybrid technology, designed to significantly reduce emissions while preserving the practical benefits of conventional powertrains. The TraXon 2 Hybrid transmission earned the “European Transport Award for Sustainability” from the German publishing house HUSS, highlighting its potential to lower both emissions as well as the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). “The TraXon 2 hybrid transmission offers fleet operators a competitive advantage on the road to decarbonizing their commercial vehicles,” said Winfried Gründler, driveline systems product line leader with ZF’s Commercial Vehicle Solutions division. “Our testing shows that the hybrid system can substantially reduce emissions while delivering significant cost savings. This award shows we are on the right path to enabling fleets to harness the benefits of electrification without compromising on the range and refueling advantages of combustion engines, all while achieving significant TCO savings.” Part of ZF’s leading TraXon family of transmissions, the PHEV system offers CO2 reduction of up to 47 percent in long-haul transport and up to 73 percent in distribution transport, with consistent recharging. This directly supports the European fleet emissions targets set for 2030 and offers flexibility to adapt to future toll and tax regulations. The transmission system is suitable for heavy commercial vehicles as a full hybrid or plug-in hybrid. Its versatility allows seamless integration into various vehicle architectures. It can also be combined with diesel, HVO/e-fuels, CNG/LPG or hydrogen combustion engines. The TraXon 2 Hybrid system encompasses an electric motor which is positioned in the so-called P2 layout between the clutch and transmission. The system transmits its power via a planetary gear directly to the input shaft, enabling the vehicle to drive purely electrically. The e-motor also supports the combustion engine in boost mode or enables regenerative braking. The electrical architecture operates at 600 to 800 volts, with a continuous power output of 190 kW, and a significantly higher peak power. Selected by a jury of industry experts, media representatives and members of a leading transportation association, this award underlines ZF’s strength in developing the practical solutions that tackle the challenges of decarbonizing heavy-duty commercial vehicles.