Last May, Hendrickson introduced a new high-efficiency, lightweight electric drive axle engineered for Class 6–7 school bus and medium-duty truck applications.

Inside the ELECTRAAX Powertrain

Debuted at ACT Expo, ELECTRAAX, powered by Driventic, features a fully integrated ePowertrain that combines the axle, single-speed gearbox, motor, and inverter into one system to maximize efficiency. The new design delivers up to 94% system-level efficiency the company said, which can extend vehicle range and reduce energy requirements based on internal testing.

The fabricated, modular architecture is designed for flexibility, with a range of track width, gear train, suspension, and brake options to align with diverse chassis platforms and vehicle specifications. The system design combines a lightweight fabricated axle housing, helping address EV weight and efficiency targets by reducing system mass, helping extend range, enabling potential battery reduction, and supporting lower total cost of ownership.

Key design features include:

• Full-motor torque regenerative braking, helping maximize energy recovery
• Single-speed gearbox design, reducing friction and weight compared to multi-speed gearboxes, and eliminating shift quality concerns for a smooth ride

Driventic’s electric drive system adds an efficient motor with a power-dense inverter to deliver extended peak torque for sustained, consistent power during acceleration, hill climbs, and heavy hauling.

“It’s scalable up to 23,000 pounds but applicable, really, for those heavy, stop-and-go applications,” Jeff Zawacki, VP of Hendrickson’s Advanced Technology Group, told FleetOwner.

ELECTRAAX is purpose-built for Class 6–7 medium‑duty commercial vehicles, focusing on school buses and pickup‑and‑delivery trucks. The company hopes to help OEMs and fleets meet stringent battery and weight requirements, balance route performance and payload, and support more cost-effective EV adoption by reducing weight and improving efficiency simultaneously.

Co-engineered with Driventic (formerly Voith), ELECTRAAX combines Hendrickson’s 110+ years of ride solution innovation with Driventic’s 155 years of electric-drive system expertise.

First Entry Into the Market

The launch marks a milestone: Hendrickson’s first drive axle and first electric axle. But why now?

Paul Mysak, Hendrickson's on-highway market segment manager, said the time was right, with a significant opportunity where fleets and OEMs can benefit from a purpose-built solution. ELECTRAAX, he says, was engineered specifically to meet the demands of this segment and went through extensive component-level and system-level validation testing with positive results.

"ELECTRAAX was developed specifically for this segment, which is well-suited for electrification due to its local operating routes, predictable daily mileage, frequent stop-and-go driving, and lower average speeds," he said. "By combining a single-speed gearbox with a powerful, efficient electric drive system, ELECTRAAX meets the unique demands of school bus and medium-duty applications while delivering a smooth driving experience, reduced system complexity, lower weight, and enhanced efficiency."

The company says it has engaged in discussions with OEMs, though there is nothing public to share yet.

Hendrickson estimates the axle will be production-ready by the end of 2027.