Magna International Inc. is prepping a battery electric vehicle (BEV) powertrain system for pickup trucks and light commercial vehicles. Ready for production from 2025, the EtelligentForce 4WD powertrain is engineered to simplify electrification while preserving full vehicle capabilities and enabling greater sustainability.

“EtelligentForce comes at a pivotal time—particularly in the North American auto industry where pickup trucks are at their height of popularity and one of the last segments to become fully electric,” said Tom Rucker, President of Magna Powertrain. “The beauty of this powerful BEV system is that it delivers the environmental benefits of an electric powertrain while maintaining the capability and utility of conventional 3/4-ton and 1-ton trucks. We are excited to be able to share these future-ready solutions with our stakeholders this year.”

EtelligentForce, originally intended to be launched at CES 2022 before the company’s withdrawal, features Magna’s eDrive technology in front and an eBeam electrified beam axle at the rear. It is designed for high-payload vehicles capable of towing up to 14,500 lb (6580 kg), which it says is easily on par with its ICE (internal combustion engine) counterparts in this truck segment. It can provide a total peak power of up to 430 kW, 250 kW from the rear eBeam, and 180 kW from the front eDrive.

Crucially, the solution omits the need for architectural changes to the vehicle and is customizable for key performance attributes. Magna’s eBeam replaces traditional beam axles, accommodating existing suspension and brake systems.

It avoids the need for an expensive redesign of existing truck platforms, helping automakers simplify the transition to electrification of these vehicle segments. With fewer moving parts than a traditional ICE powertrain, the EtelligentForce requires less maintenance—a direct benefit to truck owners over the life of the vehicle.

As the momentum toward vehicle electrification accelerates, Magna is setting up a new EV center at its U.S. headquarters in Troy, MI. The specialized team will be dedicated to preparing the EtelligentForce solution to launch in the North American EV market by 2025—in addition to other EV products.

Last month, Magna announced one of those other electrification solutions called EtelligentReach, which is set to debut on a new vehicle in 2022. That system is comprised of two electric motors, inverters, and gearboxes, and leverages advanced software to maximize vehicle range and driving dynamics.

The eDrive technology advancements and the holistic vehicle development approach of the EtelligentReach enabled a range increase of up to 145 km (90 mi) or 30% compared to production BEVs in its segment. Showcased in a Jaguar E-Pace-based development vehicle, the system optimizes the interaction of individual eDrive components and the entire vehicle with a software package that manages multiple vehicle functions.

For example, EtelligentReach uses a functional, modular control unit that integrates various powertrain and chassis functions. This includes a vehicle dynamics controller with a disconnect system, which increases efficiency and reduces CO2 emissions. A longitudinal torque-vectoring function can improve the safety margin by up to 10% by controlling each axle individually in all road conditions, as well as significantly reduce steering effort during dynamic cornering.

Customers can select from several distinctive driving modes, further enhancing the driving experience. Additional efficiency gains are achieved using silicon carbide within Magna´s inverter.

“The EtelligentReach reduces range anxiety and improves driving dynamics, providing automakers with a complete all-electric powertrain system with AWD that is exciting and efficient,” said Rucker. “We can create maximum efficiency by precisely orchestrating how every component works in concert to achieve the best possible performance.”

Magna is also supporting the accelerated shift toward electrification with other systems including EtelligentEco, an intelligent, connected PHEV system that reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 38% and offers a unique cloud connectivity feature.