AxleTech International is partnering with Wrightspeed, Inc., a leading manufacturer of heavy-duty Range-Extended Electric Vehicle (REV) powertrains, bringing its decades of axle engineering experience into Wrightspeed’s electrification technology to meet growing demand from the company’s world-class customers and partners, including Mack Trucks and New Zealand Bus (NZB).
According to the companies, Wrightspeed will now leverage AxleTech’s exceptional expertise in engineering and manufacturing to accelerate commercial deployment of its multimodal REV Route powertrain. Wrightspeed’s GTD (Geared Traction Drive) pairs with a custom axle from AxleTech International, designed to accommodate Wrightspeed’s super duty final drive gear.
“Together AxleTech and Wrightspeed are providing spectacular technology to the market, and our partnership plays to our respective strengths,” says Jason Gies, business development manager at AxleTech.
The announcement comes as Wrightspeed rapidly expands its supply chain team, bringing on experts with experience at Tesla Motors, Ford, Cummins, and others to meet strong demand for new powertrain technology. Wrightspeed is scaling its operations to meet international interest, including the largest operator of urban bus services in New Zealand, NZB, as well as continuing its work with Sonoma County recycling leader, The Ratto Group, the company says.
“Our strategy at Wrightspeed leverages world-class suppliers for components that we’ve designed and specified for our integrated powertrain technology,” adds Ian Wright, CEO and founder of Wrightspeed. “AxleTech is a proven leader in developing axles for vehicles with the most challenging drive cycles in the world, and, in partnering with them, we get proven quality components and manufacturing expertise, while keeping our team focused on innovation.”