ZF announces it has secured a multi-year agreement to supply “several thousand” AxTrax 2 LF electric portal axles to a leading Indian bus OEM, with deliveries starting in 2026. Name of the manufacturer is not mentioned.
ZF’s Commercial Vehicle Solutions (CVS) division. The systems will be deployed in city buses for the Indian domestic market as well as for export programs under the OEM’s portfolio.
The agreement establishes a long-term supply framework, with first deliveries scheduled for 2026.
In Aprile 2025 ZF announced having landed a contract for a similar amount of ZF’s AxTrax 2 electric axles headed to an Indian customer for its intercity e-buses. The German group just shared that it’s going to unveil modular electric bus drivetrains at Mobility Move 2026 Berlin.
AxTrax 2 LF to equip Indian city bus platforms from 2026
The AxTrax 2 LF was introduced at Busworld 2023 as ZF’s latest low-floor electric portal axle for battery-electric city buses. The fully integrated system combines propulsion, braking and suspension components within a compact architecture designed for low-floor applications.
According to ZF, the axle delivers up to 20 percent higher energy efficiency compared with its predecessor. The efficiency level is associated with reduced battery capacity requirements and extended operational range in battery-electric bus applications. ZF states that this contributes to lower total cost of ownership metrics for operators.
The axle integrates dual permanent magnet synchronous (PSM) hairpin motors, an 800-volt silicon carbide (SiC) inverter and an advanced oil-cooling system. The configuration provides up to 360 kW of continuous power and a peak torque of 36,800 Nm. ZF specifies that the system enables a 30-ton articulated bus equipped with a single driven axle to achieve a climbing ability of up to 25 percent.
Focus on efficiency and total cost of ownership
The 20 percent efficiency improvement over the previous generation is cited by ZF as a factor in reducing energy consumption per kilometer. The high-voltage 800 V system architecture and silicon carbide inverter are specified to support higher power density and optimized thermal management.
The Indian OEM order covers vehicles intended for both domestic deployment and international export markets, reflecting the integration of the axle into multiple bus platforms.
“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 AxTrax 2 LF shows how ZF innovation supports the transition to zero emissions public mobility through the combination of high performance and modular flexibility with cutting-edge efficiency. Beyond being sustainable, the AxTrax 2 LF reduces the total cost of ownership, proving that investing in ZF’s advanced zero emissions driveline technologies can deliver long-term value.”
