The company announced Thursday the launch of its newest direct-drive electric powertrain, the TM4 SUMO LD for Class 2-6 vehicles; while also announcing a collaboration with Motiv Power Systems to integrate Dana’s Spicer Electrified eS9000r e-Axle on the Ford F-550 chassis for use in commercial fleet applications.
Dana says the TM4 SUMO LD is designed primarily for today’s direct-drive architectures and will provide a modular solution for future transitions to widespread e-Axle platforms. When integrated with one of Dana’s numerous electrified axle solutions, the TM4 SUMO LD can be configured for light-commercial, minibus, and medium-duty truck and bus, as well as heavy-duty Class 8 hybrid vehicles.
The new offering extends the comprehensive TM4 SUMO lineup, which Dana says is powering more than 12,000 electrified vehicles today.
“The TM4 SUMO direct-drive electric powertrain offering is a globally adopted, road-proven, highly efficient solution utilized in thousands of electrified vehicles, which is a key differentiator setting us apart from other electrodynamic solutions,” says Christophe Dominiak, chief technology officer, Dana. “The SUMO LD series has been engineered into multiple Spicer Electrified products and is able to be adapted to the architecture requirements of our customers, from direct-drive solutions to fully integrated e-Axle designs.”
With three available models, the TM4 SUMO LD offers up to 250 kW of continuous power and 1200 Nm of torque. Dana says its new winding technology, combined with an innovative internal permanent magnet (IPM) rotor design, yields a 10-percent decrease in magnets and creates a more lightweight and compact solution to fit smaller vehicle envelopes. The SUMO LD is matched with the industry-proven three-phase CO150 inverter, already used in thousands of vehicles worldwide. And Dana adds the TM4 SUMO systems can be optimized to offer the best driveline efficiencies to different vehicle platforms based on selected duty cycles.
In announcing its collaboration with Motiv Power Systems, Dana says by replacing the traditional mechanical driveline with an electric motor integrated directly into the vehicle’s differential housing, its new e-Axle provides greater design flexibility for battery placement and truck body attachment. In addition to Dana’s e-Axle technology, the chassis features Motiv’s proprietary electric powertrain controls.
“Dana sees tremendous demand in the commercial vehicle space for full electrification, and the Ford F-550 chassis represents an ideal application for integrating our innovative e-Axle technology,” says Mark Wallace, president, Dana Commercial Vehicle Driveline Technologies. “Collaborating with pioneers like Motiv to offer integrated e-solutions enables commercial fleet owners to capitalize on the benefits of electrified vehicles.”
The Spicer Electrified eS9000r consists of an integrated motor, transmission, and axle system, and is designed as a “drop-in” replacement for existing axles used in medium-duty truck and bus applications. Dana says the vehicle is designed with a range of up to 90 miles and peak power of 226 kW for grade startability of 20 percent. Dana’s innovative e-Axle includes a patent-pending integrated parking mechanism (park pawl) that eliminates the need for an external solution, the company says.
“We’re proud of our role in this initial Ford F-550 application. It represents a combination of two complementary technologies in bringing electrification to commercial fleets,” adds Matt O’Leary, CEO, Motiv. “We share a common vision with Dana of expanding the market profile of battery electric vehicles in commercial transportation and welcome the opportunity to collaborate with them to advance this goal.”
Dana and Motiv are collaborating to customize a Ford F-550 Chassis with an all-electric e-Axle. Dana says the vehicle can be used for box trucks, maintenance trucks, shuttle buses, and more.
