Truck & Off-Highway Engineering - August 2024 - 21

GEARING UP A NEW
ELECTRIFIED TRUCK
ELECTRIFICATION FEATURE
A crew cab Freightliner M2 is
the test bed for Eaton's transmission
and BAE's electrical systems.
Eaton and BAE Systems have collaborated to create an electric powertrain
featuring BAE electronics and an Eaton four-speed transmission.
by Matt Wolfe
O
ne of the advantages that OEMs have long
touted for battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) has
been the elimination of components like the
transmission. The instant torque that an electric
motor can supply often mitigates the need for any sort
of torque multiplication beyond what the chosen axle
ratio can provide. However, what the industry has found
is that this concept has its limitations in certain use cases.
When asked to haul heavy loads over sustained
grades or at freeway speeds, a direct drive BEV powertrain
rapidly begins losing efficiency and range. Of
course, batteries and motors can be scaled up to handle
heavier loads, but these methods add both cost
and weight to vehicles for which these numbers are
already major concerns.
To that end, Eaton and BAE Systems have teamed
up to create a solution that not only provides greater
flexibility for battery-electric trucks, but also enables
smaller scale battery packs and motors while still
matching the performance of an equivalent internal
combustion engine (ICE) truck.
TRUCK & OFF-HIGHWAY ENGINEERING
Truck & Off-Highway Engineering was invited to a ride-and-drive
event demonstrating their collaborative creation, where we experienced
their test truck from behind the wheel and learned how all the
systems work together to reduce overall complexity.
Gearing up
Eaton is not new to providing transmissions for heavy-duty trucks.
The company formed an E-Powertrain division several years ago specifically
for developing EV-centric components and systems. " What
we do is focus on the mechanical components of an electrified powertrain
such as differentials, reduction gears and full transmission systems, "
said Justin Hopkins, product director, E-Powertrain, Eaton.
BAE is Eaton's partner on the electrical side of the powertrain, providing
motors, inverters and power electronics. Tom Webb, director of
business development and strategy, BAE Systems, outlined where the
electrified truck market is in BAE's view and where the highest adoption
rates seem to be among the various sectors of the trucking and
commercial vehicle industry.
" In terms of market segments where EVs are actually capturing market
share, we're seeing a lot of transit bus, school bus and materials
August 2024 21
SAE/MATT WOLFE
Truck & Off-Highway Engineering - August 2024

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