As part of the International busplaner Sustainability Prize 2015, an independent jury of experts assessed bus innovations which combine economic success with social responsibility and environmental friendliness.
In the "Components" category, ZF's AVE 130 electric portal axle ultimately took the top step on the winner's podium. It swayed the jury with its efficiency, flexible usage options, and unrestricted everyday practicality. The prize was presented during the ceremony held in Munich on Nov. 20.
"We are absolutely delighted about winning the 'International busplaner Sustainability Prize 2015' in the 'Components' category – particularly since the main criterion for this competition was also a decisive criterion in the development of our AVE 130 electric portal axle," stresses Andreas Moser, head of the axle and transmission systems for buses and coaches business unit at ZF Friedrichshafen AG. "Thus the AVE 130 now provides urban public transport with the potential to improve sustainability in many regards."
Over the past few years, the AVE 130 has managed to demonstrate everyday practicality. In various field trials, more than 300 ZF electric portal axles have already clocked up over 10 million kilometers. Including in articulated buses manufactured by EvoBus, the AVE 130 is being used in serial hybrid operation, i.e. in conjunction with a downsizing diesel generator.
At present, a large number of customer projects are involved in trials or are about to be implemented worldwide – for instance in China with the manufacturer Foton and in Turkey with Bozankaya. The AVE 130 is being used in battery-electric buses and can leverage all the benefits of electromobility. The AVE 130 is not only an innovation in public transport in terms of energy efficiency. Other advantages arise in relation to vehicle design because the AVE 130 is installation-compatible with ZF's AV 132 and AVN 132 portal axles and its electric motors are directly located in the hub units of the axle.
