Tevva integrates ZF braking system
A cooperation between British electric truck manufacturer Tevva and ZF has seen the German automotive giant’s electronic braking system (EBS) integrated into the vehicles.
The EBS blends the vehicle’s regenerative engine braking with its friction braking system.
“We have worked hard to secure a ringing endorsement from arguably one of the world’s most significant Tier 1 suppliers,” said Tevva’s Uzair Jilani, lead engineer, drive and brake systems.
“The system has been adapted for use with our regen system – when the brake pedal is pushed, most of the ‘braking’ is handled by regen, meaning that the drive system slows the vehicle down.”
The application gained ZF’s approval after extensive testing at its facility in Jeversen, Germany. The EBS allows for safe regenerative braking up to 180 kW, compared to a traditional air brake system that limited passive regen to around 40 kW due to safety considerations, Tevva said.
The energy recovered by the regenerative braking is returned to the truck’s traction batteries, extending its range, while particle emissions from the friction brakes are reduced. The friction brakes are, however, still required to bring the truck to a halt.
