Dana is adding electric axles for Class 7 and 8 applications and this fall will begin production of e-axles for Freightliner Custom Chassis medium-duty delivery vehicles.

At ACT Expo Aug. 31 in Long Beach, California, Dana officials pointed out the large number of commercial vehicles using Dana components, such as International, Lion Electric, XOs and Lonestar Specialty Vehicles. That includes parts such as e-motors, inverters, and on-board charges, as well as more traditional products like axles and driveshafts.

Dana Heavy-Duty E-Axles

Dana is expanding its Spicer Electrified e-Powertrain offerings with new Zero-8 e-axles, engineered for demanding, over-the-road applications.

The new e-axle portfolio supports Dana’s approach to meet the diverse landscape of Class 7 and 8 electric-vehicle architectures with multi-faceted electric powertrain solutions, including systems for direct drive and now 4x2, 6x2, and 6x4 multi-speed e-axle systems. 

The new e-axles are designed to easily integrate into most existing chassis. The platform uses Dana’s vertically integrated and long-standing technologies, including Dana TM4 motors and inverters, Spicer high-efficiency axle gearing, Graziano synchronizers, transmission controllers, system software, and shift system and controls. 

The 4x2, 6x2, and 6x4 configurations are compatible with drum or disc brakes, and are available as completely integrated fully dressed assemblies. The e-axles range from 52,000 Nm to 69,000 Nm of nominal output torque, and support gross axle weight ratings from 21,000 to 30,000 pounds for single e-axle configurations, and 40,000 to 52,000 pounds for tandem e-axle propulsion.

A modular motor design provides easy accessibility for servicing and maintenance. A motor interchange capability will allow for increased scalability in the Class 7 and 8 application range.

The new e-axles are currently undergoing testing around the world in both battery-electric and fuel-cell applications. Global production strategies are under way, and Dana said it has commitments from global OEM customers with deliveries beginning in late 2023.

E-Axle Production for FCCC

Dana also announced it will begin production of its eS9000r e-Axle, the first in a line of Spicer Electrified Zero-6 e-Axles, to support the market launch of the Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation all-electric MT50e medium-duty last-mile delivery vehicle.

Designed with a custom Spicer S130 rear drive axle, the propulsion system for the MT50e application is engineered as a fully integrated e-axle, including a gearbox and motor, providing up to 240 kW of power to support the vehicle’s driving range of up to 170 miles.

The Zero-6 e-Axles efficiently integrate into the all-electric FCCC MT50e chassis, streamlining the e-propulsion system, which is designed with full-charge capability in about three hours using DC fast charging. Also included in the design of the e-axle is Dana's patented, electronically controlled parking pawl system.