Troy’s Meritor ePowertrain Begins Production, Selected for Various Applications

Meritor Inc., a leading global supplier of drivetrain, mobility, braking, aftermarket, and electric powertrain solutions based in Troy, announced it will begin production this month of its 14Xe ePowertrain for electric commercial vehicles.
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Meritor in Troy has started production on its 14Xe ePowertrain, which will be used in various applications across markets. // Courtesy of Meritor
Meritor in Troy has started production on its 14Xe ePowertrain, which will be used in various applications across markets. // Courtesy of Meritor

Meritor Inc., a leading global supplier of drivetrain, mobility, braking, aftermarket, and electric powertrain solutions based in Troy, announced it will begin production this month of its 14Xe ePowertrain for electric commercial vehicles.

As part of Meritor’s Blue Horizon advanced technology portfolio, the 14Xe ePowertrain is a fully integrated all-electric drive system, and is the only integrated electric powertrain in production for Class 8 trucks in North America.

“Our 14Xe ePowertrain has been thoroughly tested hauling loads and logging real world miles in various conditions and multiple applications, allowing us to offer the industry a proven, all-electric, zero emissions solution,” says Chris Villavarayan, president and CEO of Meritor.

The ePowertrain, which is produced at the company’s manufacturing facility in Asheville, N.C., is designed to provide efficiency, performance, weight saving, and enhanced space utilization. The modular design enables the interchangeability of key components, including electric motors, transmissions, gearing, brakes, wheel ends, and housings to adopt to customer specifications.

The ePowertrain will be used in various applications, including for commercial vehicles. Meritor announced it will supply the Blue Horizon 14Xe e Powertrains to Hexagon Purus — a leading provider of hydrogen type 4 high-pressure cylinders, battery packs, and vehicle systems integration for fuel-cell electric and battery electric vehicles based in Oslo, Norway — for a near term development program with intentions to go to production.

“We are pleased to work with Hexagon Purus as we pursue our paths to zero emissions,” says Tim Bowes, senior vice president and president of electrification, industrial and North America aftermarket at Meritor.

Meritor’s ePowertrain will be used in two different hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicle applications in North America, including a Class 8 drayage truck and yard hauler. The integrated electric powertrains will provide the propulsion for Class 6, 7, and 8 Hydrogen Purus trucks resulting in zero emissions.

“As the push for electrification continues, we are glad to partner with Meritor who shares our goal of meeting the zero emissions challenge,” says Todd Sloan, president of Hexagon Purus Systems.

In the defense industry, Meritor announced it will collaborate with BAE Systems, a London-based multinational arms, security, and aerospace company to deliver electrification for the industrial and defense markets.

The companies will work together to offer efficient, cost-effective, fully-integrated electric vehicle solutions. BAE will leverage its expertise in systems integration and power electronics to incorporate its power management system with Meritor’s ePowertrain for a comprehensive and compact solution.

“We are proud to leverage our core strengths alongside Meritor’s to build on our electrification journeys,” says Steve Trichka, vice president and general manager of power and propulsion solutions at BAE Systems.

For school buses, Meritor announced it was selected by Diamler Trucks North America to provide the ePowertrain for the next generation all-electric Saf-T-Line C2 Jouley school bus from Thomas Built Buses.

“Being selected by Daimler Trucks North America to supply zero-emissions electric propulsion for its next generation school buses is especially gratifying,” says John Nelligan, senior vice president and president of trucks for Americas at Meritor. “This is an exciting opportunity to expand our relationship with DTNA.”

The intended agreement will span five years and is expected to start in January 2024. The ePowertrain will be integrated into the Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley school bus from Thomas Built Buses.

“The versatility and robustness of the integrated 14Xe ePowertrain is a great complement to the next-gen, all-electric Jouley from Thomas Built,” says Kendra Eads, vice president of engineering and technology, TBB. “We look forward to working closely with our colleagues at Meritor on integration of the 14Xe and delivering even greater efficiencies for school districts across the country.”

In Related News: Meritor announced it has entered into a supply agreement with Beijing Foton Daimler Automotive (BFDA), Daimler Truck’s joint venture in China.

With this deal, Meritor will produce a custom version of long haul tandem and single rear-drive axles for Daimler China’s heavy-duty on-highway tractors, which will be produced in Beijing by BFDA.

“We are excited for the opportunity to grow in the China on-highway market through collaboration with BFDA,” says Ken Hogan, Meritor’s senior vice president and president for Truck, Europe and Asia Pacific. “Meritor’s expertise in reliable, high quality and fuel-efficient axles enables us to offer customers, like Daimler, solutions that specifically meet their needs.”

Meritor axles produced as part of this agreement will be mounted on the new heavy-duty Mercedes-Benz tractors specifically manufactured for the China market.

“We will locally produce Mercedes-Benz heavy-duty tractors, made in China for China. These trucks are tailor-made to meet the specific needs of customers in China,” says Holger Scherr, president and CEO of BFDA.

“Our strong cooperation with highly reputable commercial vehicle suppliers like Meritor ensures that these custom-made components will meet the performance and quality requirements for a Mercedes-Benz truck.”