The Schaeffler Group and ABT e-Line GmbH have established a strategic collaboration for the electrification of light commercial vehicles weighing up to 3.5 tonnes.

ABT e-Line (www.abt-eline.com) is a 100% subsidiary of ABT Holding that, as a premium partner to Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, has been commissioned to fully electrify light commercial vehicles, including the T6 and Caddy models.

The Schaeffler Group (www.schaeffler.com), which has been doing pioneering work in Formula E in partnership with the ABT Group since 2014, will contribute its technological and (provided ‘cartel clearance’ is obtained) management expertise to the partnership; it will develop and supply ‘technological solutions’ for the electric powertrain.

The objective of the collaboration between the Schaeffler Group and ABT e-Line is to develop more-advanced electric powertrains and to integrate and incorporate these into vehicles, focusing on light commercial and special vehicles.

A further objective is to develop flexible ‘mechatronic chassis solutions’.

In the medium term, the Schaeffler Group sees potential for further orders and for small and medium-size production volumes in the commercial and special vehicle sectors.

Efforts to reduce vehicle emissions in urban areas are focusing on light commercial vehicles, particularly where intra-urban traffic is concerned.

Furthermore, manufacturers have to meet the regulatory upper limits for emissions in the light commercial vehicles segment separately; it is not possible to offset emissions values against those of passenger car fleets.

The performance capability of today’s electric motors can now largely fulfil the typical requirement profiles for light commercial vehicles used in intra-urban applications.

Klaus Rosenfeld, CEO of Schaeffler AG, said: “Following on from our partnership with the ABT Group in Formula E, we have decided to work together in tackling the challenges of commercial-vehicle electrification.

"The combination of ABT’s entrepreneurial approach with Schaeffler’s understanding of systems and in-depth expertise in the field of powertrain and chassis applications puts us in a perfect position to create something new and to move forward even faster.”