ZF used the stage of Busworld Europe 2025 in Brussels to showcase a powerful mix of driveline, chassis, safety and digital innovations designed to make bus mobility smarter, safer and more sustainable.
Fabian Schlegel, Senior Vice President and Head of EMEA Region within ZF’s Commercial Vehicle Solutions (CVS) Division, described the company’s presence as “a full firework of updates.” With a clear focus on engineering efficiency, reliability and sustainability into every product, ZF is turning innovation into real market momentum. “Our bus business has grown by 30 percent over the last three years, with more than one billion euros in orders in the pipeline. That’s a clear signal we’re delivering what the market needs,” Schlegel said.
Electrification engineered for efficiency
ZF premiered a new generation of axles for next-generation bus and coach platforms, including the A134 axle, which reduces weight and improves recuperation capacity while maintaining existing installation points. The new AV134 electric portal axle provides 20 percent higher torque capacity and 4 percent lower energy consumption than its predecessor, with production planned for 2027.
Complementing these was the AxTrax 2 LF low-floor electric axle, capable of 20 percent energy savings compared to its predecessor based on SORT testing and adaptable for 6×4 or 6×2 configurations. At the heart of the electrification push stood the CeTrax 2 dual central electric drive, achieving at least 94.5 percent certified efficiency while fitting within the same space as a conventional transmission. “It’s compact, light and massively more efficient,” Schlegel explained.
ZF also showcased its oil-free e-comp Scroll compressor, part of its newly developed Air Supply Unit for electric buses. The technology operates virtually silently, reducing vibration and maintenance while optimising overall TCO. “Imagine being oil-free and super-silent – perfect for operators and passengers alike,” said Schlegel.
Comfort, safety and digital intelligence
Passenger comfort was another focal point, with ZF’s CDC Skyhook damper bringing predictive damping for buses to a higher level, adapted from luxury cars, it electronically adjusts to road conditions, improving ride comfort, accessibility and stability.
On the safety front, ZF expanded its ADAS portfolio to meet the EU’s General Safety Regulation (GSR). Two new systems – the Advanced Driver Distraction Warning and Event Data Recorder – enhance driver monitoring and provide critical data for accident analysis.
Digitalisation remains a defining megatrend for ZF. Its new Software Update Management System (SUMS) Suite enables OEMs to meet cybersecurity and software-update regulations under UN/ECE R156, forming part of ZF’s broader connected-vehicle strategy. “Digitalisation means enabling over-the-air updates and letting our braking systems talk to our transmissions – that’s how we harvest the final percentages of efficiency,” Schlegel noted.
Award-winning synergy between braking and e-drives
ZF’s innovation was recognised at Busworld with the Digital Award for its Braking and e-Drive Synergy Program, combining the company’s electric drives with its modular braking platform, mBSP XBS. Using advanced software, the system synchronises driveline and braking functions to maximise energy recovery and stability.
“With this solution, our braking and driveline systems literally ‘speak’ to each other,” Schlegel said. “It delivers predictive driving, applies the right shifts and braking moments automatically, and amplifies battery recuperation – all improving efficiency and operating costs.”
India’s strategic role in ZF’s global vision
India continues to play an increasingly central role in ZF’s digital and electrification roadmap. “Three years ago, few would have spoken of India as a digitalisation hub. Today, much of our software development is done there – not just for India, but for the world,” Schlegel said.
ZF has also secured one of its largest electrification orders from a leading Indian OEM. With new plants, test tracks and tech centres added recently, the company’s presence reflects deep commitment to local manufacturing, technology and exports. “We are fully rooted in India – in customers, technology, production and exports,” he affirmed.
Outlook: scalable, sustainable and globally integrated
Even as the market faces uncertainties, ZF’s scalable platform architecture ensures resilience. “If e-drive adoption is progressing at different speeds across region and applications, whether for bus, coach or truck, and we are prepared for that. All our electric drivetrains are developed within one platform,” Schlegel said. “We serve combustion, hybrid and electric applications with equal focus – that flexibility is our strength.”
As ZF prepares for its Technology Days in Hannover next year – where its latest innovations will be demonstrated live – the message is clear: the company’s technology roadmap is firmly aligned with the future of sustainable people mobility. “We’re shaping mobility with purpose – efficient, intelligent and scalable,” Schlegel concluded.