In a strategic partnership of the SAF-HOLLAND Group and the French company LOHR Industrie, a world market leader among vehicle transporters, will advance the development of electric trailer axles for the future. The first prototype deliveries will take place shortly, and customers will also realise significant benefits in terms of their operating costs.
The two companies jointly developed the electric trailer axle AXle Electric Assist Lohr (AXEAL). This works completely independent of the tractor unit’s main drive and supports it during acceleration and regenerative braking. By providing traction assistance, the tractor unit operates at a more optimal duty point. It consumes up to 15 per cent less fuel, while improving the driving comfort. The central mechanical system includes a differential, a reduction gear and a power take-off. This can be coupled when halted to drive a peripheral system, such as a hydraulic pump. When not in use, the electric motor can be disconnected from the transmission to drive peripheral systems.
SAF-HOLLAND’s contribution to the overall system will be the electrically-driven trailer axle SAF TRAKe. This enables vehicle transporters to load and unload in urban areas, among other things. The entire truck/trailer combination thus meets all the legal requirements for noise and exhaust emissions.
E-axles tested successfully
The first semi-trailers for the transport of cars were equipped with this new application for test purposes in the first quarter of 2019. The first LOHR customer vehicles equipped with AXEAL will be delivered to the US company, Virginia Transport and South African company, KDG Logistics in the next few weeks. The findings gathered during actual operation will be directly incorporated into further development of the e-axles. LOHR will also be adding AXEAL to its product portfolio for vehicle transporters starting in the second half of 2019.
“This co-operation is an excellent example of a targeted exchange of know-how and it represents a milestone in the series application of our TRAKe electric trailer axle,” said SAF-HOLLAND CEO Alexander Geis. “At the same time, we are committed to helping reduce the total cost of ownership and helping our customers comply with the increasingly stringent noise and exhaust gas emission restrictions.”
Co-operation between the two companies is initially set up for 10 years and includes an extension clause. SAF-HOLLAND holds the worldwide distribution rights for the AXEAL system.