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ZF grows with Chinese car makers with dry brake by wire & magnet free motors

December 02, 2023

ZF unveiled its new electromechanical brake system and two major e-mobility developments at the Next Generation Mobility Days in Shanghai.

The new electromechanical brake system, also known as ‘dry’ brake-by-wire, eliminates the need for brake fluid. Instead, brake pressure is generated by electric motors, and brake signals are transmitted electrically from the pedal to the motor. This innovative system, developed by ZF’s development centers in China, the USA, and Germany, offers shorter braking distances, improved recovery of braking energy, and reduced maintenance costs compared to conventional brake systems.

In addition to the brake system, ZF also presented the EVbeat concept vehicle equipped with the EVSys800 electric drive and the I2SM magnet-free electric motor. The EVSys800 drive is a modular 800-volt drive comprising silicon carbide power electronics, an electric motor, and a reduction gearbox. Despite its compact and lightweight design, the EVbeat concept vehicle delivers a maximum torque of 5,200 Newton meters at the rear axle, with a high torque density of 70 Newton meters per kilogram of drive weight. The drive, weighing a total of 74 kilograms, saves 50 millimeters of installation space in width, making it about a third lighter than the latest ZF 800 Volt series drive.

The I2SM electric drive is a compact, torque-tight electric motor that does not require magnets or rare earths. It transmits energy for the magnetic field via an inductive exciter within the rotor shaft, offering a sustainable and powerful alternative to conventional electric drives.

Since entering the Chinese market in 1981, ZF has continuously strengthened its position as a strategic market. The company has increased its investment in research and development in the Asia-Pacific region from €220 million in 2019 to €380 million in 2022, raising the share of R&D in sales from 2.8 percent to 4 percent. Stephan von Schuckmann, a member of the ZF Board of Management, emphasized the company’s commitment to the Chinese market, which currently accounts for 17 percent of their global sales.