Crazy New Electric Axle Turns Any Truck Into An EV

The electric revolution is here, and even trucks are set to jump on the bandwagon, in fact, some of the most anticipated electric vehicles are trucks, including the Tesla Cybertruck, which has been promised to go into production this year, and its rival the Rivian R1T, which was recently spotted in Minnesota undergoing winter testing. These trucks are bespoke electric vehicles that won’t be offered in hybrid or gas variations, but what about manufacturers who want to make the switch sooner rather than later, and don’t want to spend millions in development costs? Magna – the same company that will be assisting Fisker with the Ocean SUV and currently builds the Jaguar I-Pace – might have the answer: its eBeam technology allows automakers to go electric without sacrificing utility and functionality.

The eBeam system has been specifically designed for pickup trucks and light commercial vehicles and integrates with a hybrid or battery system to support high-payload vehicles. The system seamlessly integrates with existing infrastructure which means that the basic chassis, suspension, and brake systems do not have to be modified or changed. Magna offers power ranges between 120 kW (161 horsepower) and 250 kW (335 hp), and configurations such as a single motor, single-speed setup, single motor and two speeds, or twin motor with a single-speed transmission and torque vectoring. For all-wheel-drive cars, Magna also offers an electric drive system at the front of the truck which integrates into both front and rear differentials.

“It is a bold endeavor to electrify pickup trucks, whose owners demand the towing and hauling capabilities they are currently used to, and we’ve accomplished it with our eBeam technology. We know axles are core elements of a truck’s strength, and we are excited to have developed the first significant improvement to the solid beam axle in over 100 years,” said Tom Rucker, President, Magna Powertrain. This could be a massive game-changer for manufacturers looking to make a quick jump into the EV market and is a clear sign that modular manufacturing processes are indeed the future of car building.