ZF Showcased Efficient, Electrified Drive Systems at bauma 2025

At bauma Munich 2025, ZF addressed key challenges in the construction industry with innovative system solutions under the theme "The Future of Construction." The company focused on electrified and highly efficient drive concepts aimed at reducing emissions, wear, energy loss, and operating costs.

Visitors to ZF’s booth explored the latest advancements in its product portfolio, with a strong emphasis on electrification and efficient driveline technologies designed to support the evolving needs of construction companies and fleet operators.

"Given the rising prices, construction companies and special vehicle manufacturers are looking for technologies that ensure lower operating costs over the entire service life," explains Bernd Kownatzki, Head of Sales & Technical Acquisition of Special Vehicle Drive Systems at ZF. "With our decades of expertise in this demanding segment and the cross-divisional synergy effects of our Group, we can optimally support our customers in this search."

How ZF electrifies construction sites

Many people, close together: Especially in city centers, stricter limits on emissions and noise levels are in place. Electric drives and PTOs are therefore becoming increasingly attractive in the construction industry. At bauma, ZF presented the CeTrax 2 and CeTrax 2 dual electric central drives. These are based on the modular electric drive platform for heavy commercial vehicles and are also suitable for platforms that were originally designed as combustion engines. This allows for economical retrofitting with comparatively little development effort. Depending on customer requirements, the system includes one or two oil-cooled PSM electric motors with hairpin winding and SiC inverters with 800 V. Thanks to their compact design, low energy consumption and advanced software architecture, CeTrax 2 dual and CeTrax 2 offer OEMs a future-proof platform that extends battery range and supports zero-emission drivelines.

ZF's drive solutions for special vehicles: efficient, robust, reliable

Even though ZF aims to make construction and special vehicles completely emission-free, diesel engines will continue to dominate the market and industry for a long time. Nevertheless, there is a strong demand for solutions that excel with high efficiency as well as low fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. "We constantly develop our products to meet current and future challenges," explains Ralf Boss, Head of the Special Vehicle Systems Product Line.

For this reason, ZF presented high-tech solutions at its booth that optimize efficiency and performance in the diesel driveline. Exhibits include:

• EcoLife Offroad 2, a powershift transmission system in the segment of medium to heavy vehicles such as construction site vehicles and dump trucks. The permissible engine torque of 3,000 Nm and the torque of the two engine-dependent PTOs with 1,000 Nm enable high and robust power transmission under the toughest off-road conditions.
• TraXon DynamicPerform 2, a multidisk starting clutch for the modular TraXon 2 transmission, which represents one of ZF's success stories. It is designed for mobile cranes and special vehicles up to 3,000 Nm. A separate oil circuit cools the clutch disks, preventing overheating and enabling permanent, almost wear-free maneuvering even with high friction energy.
• VG 750|400. The lightweight powerhouse is a transfer case for light to medium-duty all-wheel-drive commercial vehicles. It masters input torques of up to 12,500 Nm and speeds of 4,500 rpm at a weight of only 160 kg – ideal for maximum efficiency and reliability.
• TC 27, a transfer case for demanding all-wheel-drive applications in trucks, all-terrain cranes, dump trucks and other special vehicles. With a maximum input torque of 27,000 Nm, a speed of 3,200 rpm and a PTO of up to 8,500 Nm, it offers increased performance, while at the same time uses up less fuel.

ZF at bauma 2025: challenges and optimism

ZF is convinced that the challenging market environment can only be mastered through progress and constant improvement. In addition to the exhibits mentioned above, ZF also showcased other products, including brake systems and traction control for demanding terrain.

"The desire for innovation in the industry is unabated," says Ralf Boss. This gives our company the opportunity to play to its strengths. "Where others see the end of the road, we are just starting with our technology.”