2017 PACE Awards

2017 - PACE Award Winner

What: Co-axial electric axle

Innovation: GKN's integrated co-axial electric axle and electric motor system simplifies the design of plug-in hybrids. The electric motor's output is used as the transmission input shaft, resulting in a smaller and lighter electric drivetrain.

First Customer: Volvo

Judge's Citation: GKN has developed an integrated co-axial electric axle and electric motor system that enables OEMs to design and build fuel-efficient plug in hybrid electric vehicles on global platforms. The innovation has launched on the Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid SUV, and fits in the same space as the rear wheel drive module on the conventional XC90 AWD driveline. It is the first disconnecting eAxle on a premium SUV, enabling pure electric drive or all-wheel drive mode, in conjunction with the internal combustion engine. By using the electric motor's output shaft and the transmission's input shaft, the result is a smaller, lighter and higher performance electric driveline.

Web site: gkndriveline.com