The new ZF 2-speed transmission for EVs will help to maximize range from an electric motor and also give faster acceleration and a greater top-speed.
ZF, a German automobile components and technology supplier, has recently unveiled a new 2-speed electric drivetrain transmission for electric passenger vehicles. This new transmission for electric vehicles comes as part of the brand’s solutions for ‘Next Generation Mobility’ at its ongoing event of Global Technology Day, 2019.
This new ZF 2-speed transmission comes as a whole new innovation in the electromobility segment. Almost all car manufacturers are gradually shifting to hybrid and electric vehicles from internal combustion engines and inevitably, that is where the future of mobility lies. This new transmission will just keep ZF in the business as the whole automotive industry will be going through a massive change, in terms of components as well.
Bert Hellwig, head of system house at ZF’s E-Mobility division said, “For electric vehicles in everyday use, it is important to obtain as much range as possible from each battery charge. Every percent of improvement in energy conversion efficiency translates into two percent more range.”
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The new ZF electric drivetrain combines a 2-speed gearbox with an electric motor of 140kW or 190hp in horsepower terms. The system is modular as the same transmission can also be paired with electric motors that are much more powerful, as much as 250kW. ZF claims that this new transmission will give faster accelerations and potentially, greater top-speed too. Until now, automakers have had to choose between high initial torque or greater top-speed as is the nature with an electric motor. However, Hellwig says, “We are now resolving this conflict and the new drive will be compatible for performance and heavier vehicles.”
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ZF also claims that this new 2-speed transmission has been designed to consume less energy and in fact is 5% more efficient when compared to a conventional 1-speed electric motor. The shifts take place at 70 kph. This new transmission will also allow manufacturers to extract more range from the same size of the battery or use a smaller battery for the same amount of range. This new transmission is quite modular in nature and can be customized depending on the manufacturer’s needs.
