Eaton, a power management company, announced that Proterra, a leading innovator in commercial vehicle electrification technology, has selected a 4-speed medium-duty electric vehicle (EV) transmission from Eaton’s eMobility business unit for the ProDrive drivetrain of its ZX5 electric bus.
Julie Marshaus, new product promotion manager, ePowertrain, Eaton Vehicle Group, said: “Our electric vehicle transmissions deliver unmatched performance, with class-leading acceleration, horsepower, range and durability. Thanks to improved efficiency, our transmissions can also achieve longer endurance.”
The mid-size 4-speed transmission will be used in North American city buses. This transmission solves the main problem of single-speed drive, which is the inability to simultaneously satisfy the high efficiency required for high-speed driving and the high torque required for starting and low-speed driving. The transmission is a lightweight countershaft gearbox capable of up to 1,200Nm (885 lb.-ft.) of maximum input torque, using an electric shift drive that allows manufacturers to use smaller, more efficient electric motors.
Eaton's 4-speed transmission features fine-pitch helical gears for smooth, low-noise operation, and a shifting strategy designed to extend range and battery life. Road tests have shown that under normal driving conditions, 4-speed transmissions are 20 to 30 percent more energy efficient than direct drive transmissions; 4-speed products are 10 to 30 percent more energy efficient than current 2-speed solutions. 15%.
"Eaton has been in the hybrid transmission business for more than 15 years, and trucks and buses equipped with the hybrid transmissions we manufacture have been reliably on the road for more than 3.2 billion kilometers (2 billion miles)," said Marshaus. "Our 4-speed transmission has It provides plenty of start-up capability on the road, with intelligent shift points that allow the electric motor to operate in its most efficient range while balancing drivability and vehicle safety."
Eaton's eMobility business unit combines the products, expertise and global manufacturing capabilities of Eaton's Electric and Vehicle Groups. The eMobility portfolio includes intelligent power electronics, reliable power distribution and protection solutions, and efficient ePowertrain solutions for passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles and off-highway customers.
