A breath of fresh air in the urban environment – BPW’s electric axle drive eTransport takes second place in GreenTec Awards

• BPW takes home Germany’s most prestigious environmental innovation prize for the first time
• New intelligent axle drive enhances safety and eliminates emissions in urban electric transport segment
• Innovation spawned by 120 years of running gear and axle expertise – also for retrofitting to existing delivery fleets

Berlin/Wiehl, 18.05.2017 --- In Berlin on Friday BPW Group was presented with second prize for its electric axle drive eTransport in the GreenTec Awards, which rank among the world’s leading environmental innovation distinctions. The axle is targeted at electric urban delivery vehicles between 7.5 and 18tonnes – a segment in which vigorous growth continues to be fuelled by online sales. Its innovative features include integration of the drive in the axle, and the space-saving location of the battery packs between the axles – out of harm’s way in case of an accident. eTransport replaces the conventional powertrain, consisting of a diesel engine, transmission, drive shaft and exhaust emission control system, without adding to the vehicle’s weight or reducing cargo space. By varying the torque transferred to each wheel (torque vectoring), it also significantly improves the vehicle’s agility and manoeuvrability. The electric axle can even be retrofitted to existing delivery vehicles.

BPW Group is a leading innovator in the transport sector and an acknowledged hidden champion of the German commercial vehicle industry. When developing the electric drive concept, BPW was able to draw on around 120 years of experience in axle and running gear engineering. “Conventional electric drive systems retain a very deep structural and intellectual attachment to the internal combustion engine. They bring to mind the very first automobiles and the debt they owed to the horse-drawn carriages they replaced,” explains Dr. Markus Kliffken, director of innovation management at BPW Bergische Achsen KG in Wiehl. “Our drive, in contrast, adopts an entirely new approach giving consideration to both the axle and the running gear. It enables us to overcome the design compromises accepted in the past as regards functionality, weight, accident impact and cargo space. We are delighted to receive this award, which has a history of recognising foresighted developments. Elon Musk won the GreenTec Award, for example, at a time when Tesla was practically unknown in Germany.”

Since 2008 the GreenTec Awards have been rewarding concepts that bring together innovative engineering and sustainability. The nominees and prize winners are selected by an independent panel of experts. Winning a GreenTec Award is certainly no easy task. Every year an experienced panel applies strict criteria when choosing the most deserving industry front-runners in several categories. BPW Group was nominated this year for the very first time.