Valeo has launched a 48V 2-speed eAxle that delivers up to 1,328 lb-ft (1,800 Nm) of rear-wheel torque, an electric rear axle now in production for Dacia’s Hybrid-G 150 all-wheel-drive powertrain. The unit has been selected by Dacia for the Duster and Bigster, with the Striker to follow in the coming months. Co-developed by Renault Group and Valeo, the system uses a dog clutch with software-synchronized speed engagement, which the company says brings electrified four-wheel drive to an entry-level price point. Valeo positions the eAxle as a response to tightening European emissions rules, replacing mechanical 4×4 components with an electric rear drive.
Highlights
- The eAxle delivers up to 1,328 lb-ft (1,800 Nm) of rear-wheel torque in its short gear ratio and shifts to a long ratio for cruising up to 87 mph (140 km/h).
- The 90 lb (41 kg) unit produces 31 hp peak; Valeo describes it as the most powerful 48V rear electric powertrain currently on the market.
- On the Duster and Bigster, the system enables up to 60% of urban driving in all-electric mode, based on Valeo’s internal WLTC urban-phase testing.
- Validation testing ran from -22°F to 113°F (-30°C to 45°C) in Sweden and Spain without reducing towing capacity or water-wading depth.
Two Gear Ratios Solve the Torque-Efficiency Trade-Off
Affordable electric axles have typically forced a choice between low-speed torque and high-speed efficiency. Valeo’s 2-speed design addresses that with two ratios. In the short ratio, the eAxle delivers up to 1,328 lb-ft (1,800 Nm) of rear-wheel torque, supplying the low-speed pulling power needed for steep climbs and rough terrain. For highway driving, it shifts to a long ratio that supports efficient cruising up to 87 mph (140 km/h).
The shift mechanism is a Smart Dog-Clutch, co-developed with Renault Group. Valeo describes it as a simple dog clutch paired with software-synchronized speed engagement, an approach intended to deliver higher-tier performance at a cost suited to entry-level vehicles.
Xavier Dupont, CEO of Valeo’s Power Division, said: “We are proud to see Valeo’s innovative 48V 2-Speed eAxle at the heart of Dacia’s new Hybrid-G 150 4×4 powertrain. This breakthrough technology preserves the iconic 4×4 DNA of the Duster while significantly reducing its CO2 emissions. The collaboration with Dacia highlights our ability to scale electrification for the mass market and to provide the technology that supports our partners in the transition to sustainable, safe and all-terrain mobility.”
A 90-Pound Unit Built for B-Segment Platforms
At 90 lb (41 kg), the eAxle is compact enough to integrate into existing B-segment platforms, and Valeo offers it as a way to add electric rear-wheel drive to current mild-hybrid (MHEV) vehicles. The company describes it as the most powerful 48V rear electric powertrain currently available, with 31 hp peak output.
Valeo reports two further capabilities:
- All-electric urban driving: On the Duster and Bigster, optimized software lets the system run up to 60% of urban driving in all-electric mode. That figure comes from Valeo’s internal tests using the urban phase of the WLTC and varies with road type, driving style, and weather.
- Validated in extremes: The system was tested from -22°F to 113°F (-30°C to 45°C) across Sweden and Spain, and Valeo says it preserves the vehicle’s towing capacity and water-wading depth.
Where the eAxle Fits in Dacia’s Lineup
Dacia has adopted the eAxle for its Hybrid-G 150 powertrain, already on the Duster and Bigster, with the Striker to follow in the coming months. According to Valeo, the system enables the first pairing of bi-fuel gasoline/LPG technology with an affordable electrified all-wheel-drive drivetrain. By replacing mechanical 4×4 hardware with an electric rear axle, the approach is aimed at offsetting the higher fuel use of conventional four-wheel-drive systems while meeting European emissions standards.
Dacia first outlined the hybrid 150 4×4 for the Duster and Bigster earlier this year, before a supplier was named. The launch also extends Valeo’s eAxle business, which recently added a new e-axle production line in India for Mahindra.
Sign up for our popular weekly email to catch all the latest EV news!
