BAE Systems and power management company Eaton have reported success in testing their integrated electric drive system for medium- and heavy-duty commercial trucks. Using this technology, existing truck models can be easily adapted across various zero-emission applications, improving efficiency, performance and flexibility.
Testing occurred at Eaton’s proving grounds in Marshall, Michigan, on a Class 7 demonstration vehicle. The vehicle met key on-road performance goals, including gradeability and highway speed, all within a single electric vehicle (EV) system. The compact system helps increase electrical efficiency and reduce vehicle weight.
BAE Systems’ electric motor and suite of modular power electronics is combined with Eaton’s MD 4-speed EV transmission to create a comprehensive system for commercial vehicles. It can also be fitted with Eaton’s HD-4 EV transmission, offering a full line of electric drive systems for commercial trucks above 19 tons.
The BAE Systems and Eaton system gives original equipment manufacturers a durable and optimized electric drive solution for a wide range of platforms. Due to unique architecture, it uses a reduced number of components, cables, and connections, saving space and weight on the vehicle. The complete system simplifies the integration process, improves reliability, increases value, and lowers overall cost.
