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ZF has achieved a significant production landmark for its electric central drive, CeTrax, underscoring the growing momentum of commercial vehicle electrification. In May, the ten thousandth unit of the successful e-drive was produced at the company’s Friedrichshafen facility, marking a major achievement since series production began in 2019.
Key Highlights
- Production Milestone: ZF produced its 10,000th CeTrax electric central drive in May 2025.
- Versatile Application: The drive is used internationally in vehicles like city buses and terminal tractors for logistics yards.
- Flexible Technology: CeTrax was designed with an open technology approach, making it compatible with both battery-electric and fuel cell systems.
- Next Generation: ZF has announced its successor, CeTrax 2, which is scheduled to launch in mid-2026.
Proven Success in Commercial Vehicles
Since its debut, CeTrax has become a cornerstone of ZF’s electric mobility solutions for the commercial vehicle sector. The compact electric drive is engineered to be an ideal solution for electrifying conventional bus platforms. This has made it an attractive option for manufacturers looking to transition their existing diesel models to electric power.
The drive’s success extends beyond city buses, attracting customers in other segments, such as terminal tractors used in shipping and logistics yards. Currently, ZF manufactures several thousand CeTrax systems annually to meet consistent customer demand, driven by the increasing electrification of public transport in cities worldwide. With a continuous power output of 175 kW, the system is robust enough to handle demanding urban topographies.
Flexible and Innovative Design
A key factor in CeTrax’s success is its innovative and adaptable design. Conceived as a complete system, it includes an inverter and an electronic control unit featuring proprietary ZF software. This integrated approach allows for seamless integration into existing vehicle configurations, a significant advantage from its initial conception.
Furthermore, CeTrax’s design reflects an open technology philosophy. It can be powered by various energy sources, including vehicle batteries or fuel cells, offering manufacturers immense flexibility. This adaptability, combined with product quality and reliability, has been crucial to its high production volumes.
The Future of Electric Drives
The success of CeTrax serves as a foundation for the next generation of electric drives for commercial vehicles. Winfried Gründler, Senior Vice President for Driveline Technology at ZF’s Commercial Vehicle Solutions division, noted that this milestone is the “starting point for the next generation of electric drives for commercial vehicles, now up to a total weight of 44 tons.”
Looking ahead, ZF is preparing to launch CeTrax 2 in mid-2026. This next-generation platform will feature the latest components and offer significant synergies for the commercial vehicle industry.
For more information on ZF and its mobility solutions, please visit www.zf.com.
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