Meritor to Start Testing Electric Drivetrain Next Year
Meritor’s Cheri Lantz explains that the e-carrier is an electric motor designed into a differential carrier. Photo: Deborah Lockridge
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Meritor’s Cheri Lantz explains that the e-carrier is an electric motor designed into a differential carrier. Photo: Deborah Lockridge
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ATLANTA – As Meritor works to stay ahead in an industry facing the most rapid change CEO Jay Craig says he’s ever seen, the company announced it’s developing a new portfolio of electric drivetrains.
Meritor announced at the North American Commercial Vehicle Show that it is developing a platform of electric drive axles and suspensions as well as supporting systems “to position Meritor as a leader in electric solutions for the commercial vehicle market.”
It also announced an improved air disc brake and a new low-cost aftermarket brand.
“You’re seeing part of the Renaissance of Meritor,” Craig said. About a year into its three-year M2019 plan focusing on revenue growth, the company continues to press forward with its goal to roll out at least 20 new products during that three-year time frame.
“We’re also committed to electrification,” Craig said. “We’ve had a lot of interest from OEs on how we can start to work with them to launch demonstrator and production vehicles as well. We have a product for every category of the commercial vehicle market,” he said, including trucks, buses, and delivery vans. “We offer the complete portfolio and our plan is to continue to be the drivetrains leader – no matter where the industry evolves.”
The electric drivetrains address several trends in the industry, said Cheri Lantz, vice president and chief strategy officer: the increasing quest for efficiency, global emissions regulations, and the advancement of electrification as technology improves and battery costs come down.
Essentially, Meritor is focusing on integrating an electric motor into the differential carrier. The flexible e-carrier design will be the foundation for various drivetrain configurations, including full electric, hybrid, single or tandem axles with various options based on application. …Read the rest of this story
