ZF will present a semi-trailer installed with its electric drive system, dubbed ‘TrailTrax’, for brake energy recuperation.

The AxTrax low-floor and CeTrax 2 electric drives; OnGuard Max; Collision Mitigation System; E-comp scroll air compressor; BusConnect. These are just some of the many products and services which the German company ZF has developed over the years, and all of these were on show at the UITP global summit in Hamburg, held between 15-18 June. Making these products and implementing them in buses has required a broad range of people with different competencies and specialisms; however, it takes one unit to promote them together with the regional sales and tailor them to people transportation. Truck & Bus Builder spoke with Daniel Majewski, Global head of Bus Solutions at ZF, about what makes the bus segment unique, how ZF supports manufacturers in keeping up to speed with the latest regulations and technologies, and how the implementation of new products and services is making Europe’s public transport safer and operational efficient.

Dubbed ‘VEDS 1.5’, the new version of the Voith Electrical Drive System for buses and coaches will come with Voith’s ‘Drive Inverter System’ with integrated drive management unit.

On display at UITP last month were two eAxles, a central drive unit for the midibus segment and a low floor eAxle with independent suspension for heavy-duty transit bus transport segments.

New Phoenix multi-fuel “super” truck range launched

The general mood of this year’s Advanced Clean Transportation Expo – held between 28 April and 1 May in Anaheim, California – was one of healthy confusion. There were questions about the direction of the commercial vehicle industry and how a more sustainable transport system might be achieved. BAE Systems, however, is confident that the industry will continue to move towards net zero; the only questions concern “how it will be done and how long it will take”, according to Robert Lamanna, vice president and general manager of BAE Systems’ Power and Propulsion Solutions division.

Partnership aims to accelerate introduction of fast-charging heavy trucks.

The project will focus on the development and manufacturing of high-voltage EV components, including combined charging units, e-axles, inverters, and electric motors.

At last year’s ACT Expo in Las Vegas, Truck & Bus Builder met for the first time with Range Energy to learn more about its “electric trailer platform”. This year’s show provided the opportunity for a business update after two major announcements: the appointment of a new chief executive officer, Jon Foster, and a supply agreement with ZF Group for its ‘AxTrax 2’ e-axles. I spoke with founder Ali Javidan – now chief technology officer – and Foster about what the company hopes to achieve in the next five years.

This strategic move underscores Valeo’s commitment to supporting India’s electric mobility transition.

New company to help improve competitiveness of battery-powered trucks

The German company used the show to present two new products: its upcoming ‘Traxon 2 Hybrid’ powertrain, making its North American market debut; and a third-generation air compressor for the global electric vehicle market.