German ZF’s Commercial Vehicle Solutions division has announced a joint development agreement with fuel cell and battery systems supplier, Freudenberg e-Power Systems. The partners will develop clean e-Drive ‘powerpack’ solutions, consisting of a fuel cell and drivetrain system, as well as share components for a variety of applications. The initial focus of the agreement is to develop a highly integrated fuel cell e-drive solution for commercial vehicles. While Freudenberg will offer scalable e-power systems in kit form with various power outputs, ZF will offer complete electric driveline systems of up to 360 kW continuous power. This is in line with ZF’s new CeTrax 2 electric central drive for heavy-duty vehicles.The pilot phase of the cooperation agreement is currently underway with prototypes for bus and truck demonstration vehicles being developed. The first prototype is expected by 2023. This corresponds to ZF’s already announced fuel cell partnership for the development of a coach prototype as part of the HyFleet project.The partnership combines the core competencies of two companies with Freudenberg’s expertise in fuel cell and battery systems and ZF’s electric components including drivelines, inverters, converters, compressors, software Energy Management Systems as well as the ability to integrate and harmonize the systems in between, further enhancing operating efficiency and sustainability.
German ZF’s Commercial Vehicle Solutions division has announced a joint development agreement with fuel cell and battery systems supplier, Freudenberg e-Power Systems. The partners will develop clean e-Drive ‘powerpack’ solutions, consisting of a fuel cell and drivetrain system, as well as share components for a variety of applications. The initial focus of the agreement is to develop a highly integrated fuel cell e-drive solution for commercial vehicles. While Freudenberg will offer scalable e-power systems in kit form with various power outputs, ZF will offer complete electric driveline systems of up to 360 kW continuous power. This is in line with ZF’s new CeTrax 2 electric central drive for heavy-duty vehicles.The pilot phase of the cooperation agreement is currently underway with prototypes for bus and truck demonstration vehicles being developed. The first prototype is expected by 2023. This corresponds to ZF’s already announced fuel cell partnership for the development of a coach prototype as part of the HyFleet project.The partnership combines the core competencies of two companies with Freudenberg’s expertise in fuel cell and battery systems and ZF’s electric components including drivelines, inverters, converters, compressors, software Energy Management Systems as well as the ability to integrate and harmonize the systems in between, further enhancing operating efficiency and sustainability.
