Shortly after beginning volume production, Isuzu experienced an increase in demand, driven by its use of the ZF CeTrax lite electric drive in its lightweight Elf truck.
Following the commencement of volume production of the CeTrax lite electric drive for light commercial vehicles in April 2023, ZF has quickly produced its first thousand units. This rapid ramp-up in production was due to increased demand from Isuzu, a Japanese commercial vehicle manufacturer. Isuzu utilizes the drive in its latest generation light distributor truck, the Isuzu Elf EV, with further volume production planned for this year.
CeTrax lite is a centrally mounted all-electric drive with a peak output of 150 kW, designed to fit where conventional transmissions are typically found in combustion vehicles. Since October 2023, Isuzu has been distributing its Elf EV vehicles, equipped with CeTrax, globally.
As demand from Isuzu grows, production at ZF’s Friedrichshafen plant also increases. Kleber Vinhas, the plant’s Location Manager, expressed pride in CeTrax lite’s market success, highlighting its role in promoting purely electric and emission-free delivery traffic. Additionally, ZF is preparing to launch volume production of the CeTrax 2 dual, a new electric central drive for heavy commercial vehicles.
The success of the CeTrax lite builds on that of its predecessor, CeTrax, which started volume production in 2020 and is primarily used in buses. With a reliable reputation, the CeTrax drive has gained global recognition in the demanding public transport sector. The upcoming CeTrax 2 dual will also be produced in Friedrichshafen.
A key advantage of the CeTrax concept is its compatibility with existing commercial vehicle platforms, allowing manufacturers to transition to electric vehicles easily without significant design changes. This approach particularly appeals to city bus manufacturers and special vehicles used in ports and logistics centres. The CeTrax lite offers similar potential for electrifying small delivery trucks, city buses, and vehicles used for last-mile deliveries, making them suitable for low-emission zones in urban areas.
ZF highlights the high production and added value of the CeTrax lite, with many components manufactured at other ZF locations for final assembly in Friedrichshafen. According to Kleber Vinhas, the seamless hardware and software integration makes the CeTrax lite highly efficient.
