ZF India Pvt. Ltd. has secured a landmark business nomination from a leading Indian original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to supply the AxTrax 2 LF, marking a major milestone as India’s first fully integrated low-floor electric axle for city buses.Announced in February 2026, the nomination was awarded in October 2025 and involves a multi-year supply program covering several thousand units. This deal underscores ZF’s growing role in advancing zero-emission public transportation in India and beyond.
A Breakthrough in Electric Mobility for Urban Buses
The AxTrax 2 LF is a next-generation electric portal axle specifically engineered for low-floor city bus applications. It represents ZF’s latest innovation in its in-house developed suite of e-drives, tailored for battery-electric city and intercity buses up to around 30 tons.
Introduced globally at Busworld 2023, the AxTrax 2 LF integrates propulsion, braking, and suspension components into a compact, lightweight architecture. This fully “dressed” or integrated design replaces traditional engine, transmission, and axle assemblies with a single, efficient unit.A key advantage is its compatibility: the axle uses the same installation space and mounting points as conventional low-floor axles and ZF’s previous generations. This plug-and-play approach simplifies integration for bus manufacturers, enables backward compatibility, and reduces development time and costs for OEMs transitioning to electric platforms.
The AxTrax 2 LF is available in two power variants to suit different operational needs:
- 260 kW continuous output
- 360 kW continuous output
It delivers a peak torque of up to 36,800 Nm, powered by dual permanent magnet synchronous hairpin electric motors, an 800-volt silicon carbide (SiC) inverter, and an oil-cooled system. This configuration provides strong acceleration, seamless torque delivery, and impressive climbing capability—enabling a 30-tonne articulated bus to handle gradients of up to 25% with a single driven axle (depending on vehicle specs and conditions).ZF highlights that the AxTrax 2 LF achieves up to 20% higher energy efficiency compared to its predecessor, translating to lower energy consumption, extended range, and reduced total cost of ownership (TCO) for operators. The system also ensures quiet, smooth operation, enhancing passenger comfort in urban environments.
The axle meets high safety and cybersecurity standards, making it suitable for demanding city bus operations.
The nomination targets two key vehicle types:
- 18-metre articulated buses — ideal for high-capacity routes in densely populated cities
- 11-metre city buses — suited for standard urban transit networks
Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2026, with units destined for both the Indian domestic market and export programs. This positions the AxTrax 2 LF to support India’s accelerating push toward electric public transport, aligning with national goals for cleaner air, reduced emissions, and sustainable mobility in growing urban centers.By localizing advanced e-mobility solutions through ZF India, the company strengthens its supply chain presence and contributes to the country’s EV ecosystem.
This major order builds on ZF’s earlier successes in India, including previous contracts for electric axles in intercity applications. As cities worldwide prioritize electrification to combat pollution and congestion, innovations like the AxTrax 2 LF play a pivotal role in making zero-emission bus fleets more practical, efficient, and scalable.
ZF’s commitment to modular, high-performance e-drives positions it as a key partner for OEMs navigating the shift to sustainable commercial vehicles. With production ramp-up approaching, Indian passengers can soon expect quieter, greener, and more accessible public transport powered by this cutting-edge technology.
