Electric Commercial Vehicle Traction Motor Market by Vehicle Type (Pickups, Medium and Heavy-Duty Trucks, Vans, Buses), Power Output, Motor Type, Transmission, Design, Axle Architecture (Integrated, Central Drive Unit), & Region - Global Forecast to 2030

Electric Commercial Vehicle Traction Motor Market by Vehicle Type (Pickups, Medium and Heavy-Duty Trucks, Vans, Buses), Power Output, Motor Type, Transmission, Design, Axle Architecture (Integrated, Central Drive Unit), & Region - Global Forecast to 2030

The global electric commercial vehicles market is projected to grow from USD 2.1 Billion in 2024 to USD 9.8 Billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of 28.8%. The ECV traction motor industry is expanding rapidly, driven by a global shift toward sustainability and electrification. With stringent emissions rules and rising environmental awareness, industries are increasingly adopting electric and hybrid vehicles, driving up demand for ECV traction motors. Advances in technology and government incentives have accelerated this growth trajectory, making ECV traction motors an essential component in the transition to a greener future. As the market grows, ECV traction motors will play an increasingly important role in changing the transportation landscape, providing efficient and environmentally friendly solutions across a wide range of sectors.

“Reduced mechanical complexity and power loss to drive growth of single-speed drive transmission.”

A single-speed drive in traction motors is a motor arrangement that has a fixed gear ratio. In this design, the motor directly powers the vehicle's wheels, eliminating the need for a complex transmission system. Single-speed drive motors are appropriate for urban driving circumstances commonly found in commercial vehicle applications that require constant speed operation, such as stop-and-go traffic. Single-speed drive motors help to increase the overall efficiency and reliability of electric commercial vehicles. While these motors offer simplicity and economy appropriate for urban driving, they may have limits in specific scenarios, such as high-speed highway driving or applications that require precise control of vehicle speed. Single-speed traction motors are still prevalent in some electric commercial vehicles, such as the Ford e-Transit electric van by Ford Motor Company (US), which features a single-speed transmission electric motor that is powered by a 68 kWh lithium-ion battery pack with a demonstrated range of 126 miles on the Cargo Van low-roof models. American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. (US), BorgWarner (US), Robert Bosch GmbH (Germany), and Dana Incorporated (US) also supply drive motors, eAxles, electric powertrain systems, and electric powertrain system parts. Thus, single-speed drive motors remain a practical choice for electric commercial vehicles seeking streamlined and efficient propulsion solutions tailored to urban environments.

“Booming logistics sector to drive growth of Van in ECV traction motor market.”

Demand for effective and adaptable logistics solutions has surged as a result of e-commerce's rapid growth. Traction motors power electric trucks used for last-mile delivery, allowing logistics organizations to satisfy the growing demand for fast and dependable parcel delivery services. Electric vans are enclosed wagons or motor truck vehicles that receive power from the power grid and are driven by an electric motor. The growth of the logistics and e-commerce sectors is expected to drive the market for electric vans for various applications, including last-mile delivery and distribution services. In September 2023, FedEx Express Europe, a subsidiary of FedEx Corporation, announced the addition of 23 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter vans to its UK operations. These eSprinter vans use two electric motors to power the vehicle mounted at the rear axle. Electric vans would witness an increasing demand due to lower operating costs, negligible harmful emissions, and government support. With the growing demand for electrification of mass transit transport and developments in battery technologies, pure electric vans were introduced in the market. OEMs such as Schaeffler Group (Germany), Shenzhen Inovance Technology (Chian), and Dana Incorporated (US), among others, offer different motors for electric vans. For instance, Spicer Electrified Zero-6 e-Transmissions, eBeam Axle, and LD34 are some traction motors offered by Dana Incorporated, ZF Friedrichshafen AG, and Shenzhen Inovance Technology, respectively.

“Optimized weight distribution within vehicles to drive Central Drive Axle market during the forecast period.”

In the rapidly growing electric commercial vehicle market, the central drive axle emerges as a key component enhancing vehicle propulsion and performance. Positioned between the front and rear axles, the central drive axle optimizes weight distribution, stability, and traction, essential for commercial operations. Its strategic placement allows for efficient power delivery to the wheels, improving vehicle maneuverability, particularly in urban environments where tight spaces and frequent stops are prevalent. Central drive axles are well-suited for articulated buses and heavy-duty trucks with trailers. Placing the motor in the center simplifies drivetrain design for these longer vehicles with complex turning mechanisms. Advancements in electric motor technology are further leading to the development of more compact and powerful central drive motors. This allows for easier integration into the central axle without sacrificing performance or ground clearance. The CeTrax system by ZF Friedrichshafen AG (Germany) is an all-electric central drive used in buses, trucks, and special vehicles, such as terminal tractors and body carriers. CeTrax saves on costs and reduces the workload involved in technical integration and service.

“Advancements in motor design to drive growth of Permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSMs) during the forecast period.”

The growing popularity of PMSMs in electric commercial vehicles is attributed to their performance and an increase in electrification and sustainability in the automotive industry. Major manufacturers such as Tesla (US), BMW (Germany), and Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. (Japan) have adopted this technology in their electric vehicle platforms, leveraging its efficiency and power density to enhance the overall driving experience and appeal to environmentally-conscious consumers. Advancements in motor design and manufacturing processes have made these motors more cost-effective and accessible, further driving their adoption in electric commercial vehicles, including delivery vans, buses, and light-duty trucks. Traction motor manufacturers such as Dana Incorporated (US), American Axle & Manufacturing Inc. (US), and FinDreams Powertrain Co., Ltd. (China) (a subsidiary of BYD) offer a wide range of PMSMs for commercial vehicles. For instance, Dana offers TM4 SUMO LD for light commercial vehicles, medium-duty trucks, medium buses, and heavy-duty trucks when integrated into e-Axles. Similarly, in January 2022, FinDreams Powertrain announced the release of its second-generation 3-in-1 150 kW electric drive system. With a power range of 120 and 180 kW, the system includes a PMSM and provides a maximum wheel torque range between 3,000 and 3,800 Nm.

Electric commercial vehicle manufacturers such as Tesla Ins. (US), BYD (China), Volvo Trucks (Sweden), and Mercedes-Benz Group AG (Germany), among others, also use PMSMs in their electric commercial vehicles. For instance, the Tesla Semi, an all-electric heavy-duty truck, uses a liquid-cooled AC permanent magnet synchronous motor with a variable frequency drive. Meanwhile, the Mercedes-Benz eSprinter electric van utilizes a PMSM for its efficient and powerful electric drive system. Thus, the growing adoption of electric commercial vehicles with PMSM will support the market growth of the electric commercial vehicle traction motor market.

In-depth interviews were conducted with CEOs, marketing directors, other innovation and technology directors, and executives from various key organizations operating in this market.

By Company Type: OEMs – 25%, Tier I – 55%, Tier II– 20%,

By Designation: CXOs – 20%, Directors– 30%, Others– 50%

By Region: North America– 20%, Europe – 20%, Asia Pacific– 60%

The electric commercial vehicle traction motor market is dominated by global players such as ZF Friedrichshafen AG (Germany), Dana Limited (US), Robert Bosch GmbH (Germany), Magna International Inc. (Germany), and Allison Transmission, Inc. (US). These companies adopted strategies such as product developments, deals, and others to gain traction in the market.

Research Coverage:

The Market Study Covers the electric commercial vehicle traction motor market By Vehicle Type (Medium-duty Trucks, Heavy-duty Truck, Electric Pickup Trucks, Light Vans, Full-size Vans and Buses & Coaches), Power Output (Less than 100 kW, 100−200 kW, 200–400 kW and Above 400 kW), Motor Type (Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM), AC Induction Motor, and DC Traction Motor), Transmission (Single Speed Drive and Multi-speed Drive), Design (Radial Flux and Axial Flux), Axle Architecture (Integrated Axle and Central Drive Unit) and Region (Asia Pacific, Europe and North America). It also covers the competitive landscape and company profiles of the major players in the electric commercial vehicle traction motor market ecosystem.

Key Benefits of the Report

The study also includes an in-depth competitive analysis of the key players in the market, along with their company profiles, key observations related to product and business offerings, recent developments, and key market strategies.

The report will help the market leaders/new entrants in this market with information on the closest approximations of the revenue numbers for the overall electric commercial vehicle traction motor market and the subsegments. This report will help stakeholders understand the competitive landscape and gain more insights to position their businesses better and plan suitable go-to-market strategies. The report also helps stakeholders understand the market pulse and provides information on key market drivers, restraints, challenges, and opportunities.

The report provides insights on the following pointers:

Analysis of key drivers (Technical innovations in Motor Control and Power Electronics, The shift toward sustainable transportation is propelling the market, Lower operating costs compared to ICE engines, Government initiatives and subsidiaries), restraints (Vulnerability to supply chain constraints, Limited range of electric commercial vehicle), opportunities (Development in Fuel Cell technology, Rapid urbanization and fast growth of e-commerce sector), and challenges (Overheating of motor, Absence of standardized norms and regulation) influencing the growth of the electric commercial vehicle traction motor market.

Product Development/Innovation: Detailed insights on upcoming technologies, research & development activities, and new product launches in the electric commercial vehicle traction motor market

Market Development: Comprehensive information about lucrative markets – the report analyses the electric commercial vehicle traction motor market across varied regions

Market Diversification: Exhaustive information about new products, untapped geographies, recent developments, and investments in the electric commercial vehicle traction motor market

Competitive Assessment: In-depth assessment of market shares, growth strategies and service offerings of leading players like ZF Friedrichshafen AG (Germany), Dana Limited (US), Robert Bosch GmbH (Germany), Magna International Inc. (Germany), Allison Transmission, Inc. (US) and among others in the electric commercial vehicle Traction motor market strategies.

Strategies: The report also helps stakeholders understand the pulse of the ECV traction motor market and provides them with information on key market drivers, restraints, challenges, and opportunities.