The Indianapolis-based US supplier Allison Transmission is introducing new electric drives for buses and trucks called ABE and AXE. They come in a one or two motor set-up and deliver up to 550 kW. Regarding the drives, Allison Transmission says that the ABE series is an electric axle for transit buses that is available with either one or two electric motors and offers 400 kW continuous and 550 kW peak power in the twin-engine configuration. The first customer is bus builder Alexander Dennis, who will use the drive in electric double-decker buses for US transport operator Foothill Transit. The equivalent of the e-axle for medium and heavy trucks is called AXE. It can also be ordered with one or two electric motors, the latter also offering 400 kW continuous and 550 kW peak power. As a client, Peterbilt is currently testing the electric axles in their 579EV electric semi truck. According to CEO David S. Graziosi, the AXE Series is “the first e-axle in the heavy-duty truck industry to provide this level of power density, size and simplicity”. The company adds examples for use cases such as refuse trucks, school buses and delivery trucks to the list. Furthermore, Allison Transmission has acquired the London-based Vantage Power company and AxleTech’s electrical division based in Troy, Michigan (we reported in our newsletter). Vantage Power specializes in the development of electrified drives for medium and heavy commercial vehicle manufacturers and their suppliers. AxleTech is a developer and manufacturer of integrated electrified axle solutions for heavy commercial vehicles. According to their own numbers, Allison Transmission has around 2,900 employees worldwide to date. In addition to its headquarters in Indianapolis, the Group operates regional headquarters in China, Brazil and the Netherlands and production plants in the USA, Hungary and India. allisontransmission.com (ABE), allisontransmission.com (Alexander Dennis), allisontransmission.com (AXE), allisontransmission.com (Peterbilt), allisontransmission.com (Takeover)
US-based Allison Transmission has launched its ABE and AXE series of electric drives for transit buses and trucks with one or two motors, which offer up to 550 kW of power. Allison’s first customer, US bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis, will install ABE drives in double-deckers. The AXE drive is being tested by Peterbilt in its electric semi-trucks. Both drives offer up to 400 kW continuous and 550 kW peak supplies. Meanwhile, Allison has bought drive developer Vantage Power and the electrical division of heavy vehicle axle company AxleTech.