Utility & Light Vehicles

Electric Drive Solutions for Utility & Light Vehicles

Compact traction and transaxle systems developed around payload, low-speed manoeuvring, gradient, battery range, vehicle packaging and dependable daily operation.

Compact Commercial Vehicles

Traction systems for compact delivery, site-service and light commercial platforms, selected around payload, route speed, gradients, operating range and installation envelope.

Suitable SDT solution: Direct-drive traction motors, BLDC or PMDC motor systems, transaxles, wheel drives and geared auxiliary actuators.
Engineering benefit: Propulsion and auxiliary performance developed around acceleration, gradeability, speed, range, braking, vibration and environmental exposure.
Representative capability: Direct-drive and traction configurations · transaxles 12–72 V and 150 W–11 kW · wheel platforms to 50 N·m peak

Relevant platformsTraction MotorsExplore More TransaxlesExplore More Servo & Wheel DrivesExplore More

Municipal & Service Vehicles

Robust traction and auxiliary motion for compact municipal, grounds-service and facilities vehicles with repeated stopping, changing payload and extended daily use.

Suitable SDT solution: Direct-drive traction motors, BLDC or PMDC motor systems, transaxles, wheel drives and geared auxiliary actuators.
Engineering benefit: Propulsion and auxiliary performance developed around acceleration, gradeability, speed, range, braking, vibration and environmental exposure.
Representative capability: Direct-drive and traction configurations · transaxles 12–72 V and 150 W–11 kW · wheel platforms to 50 N·m peak

Relevant platformsTraction MotorsExplore More TransaxlesExplore More Servo & Wheel DrivesExplore More

Motion requirements & engineering challenges

What the Application Requires from the Drive System

A credible selection begins with the real operating duty. These inputs determine continuous rating, peak capability, technology choice and the level of integration required.

Payload and gross vehicle mass

Define payload and gross vehicle mass as a measurable input before the motor and drive architecture is selected.

What this defines

Wheel torque, speed and gradient

Define wheel torque, speed and gradient as a measurable input before the motor and drive architecture is selected.

What this defines

Acceleration, stopping and manoeuvring

Define acceleration, stopping and manoeuvring as a measurable input before the motor and drive architecture is selected.

What this defines

Battery voltage and peak current

Define battery voltage and peak current as a measurable input before the motor and drive architecture is selected.

What this defines

Range and representative route duty

Define range and representative route duty as a measurable input before the motor and drive architecture is selected.

What this defines

Drivetrain ratio and mechanical interfaces

Define drivetrain ratio and mechanical interfaces as a measurable input before the motor and drive architecture is selected.

What this defines

Ingress, shock and vibration

Define ingress, shock and vibration as a measurable input before the motor and drive architecture is selected.

What this defines

Controls, auxiliaries and production lifecycle

Define controls, auxiliaries and production lifecycle as a measurable input before the motor and drive architecture is selected.

What this defines

Suitable technologies & solution architecture

Engineer the Complete Motion System

Utility-vehicle propulsion is defined by the payload, route and repeated working cycle. Traction motor, transaxle, brake, battery and auxiliary functions are coordinated around practical daily operation.

Route-matched traction platform

Brushless, PMDC, transaxle or integrated-drive solutions are selected from vehicle mass, wheel torque, route speed, gradient and acceleration.

Drivetrain and braking

Reduction ratio, differential, wheel diameter, axle load, service brake and holding behaviour are matched to manoeuvring and stopping requirements.

Battery and vehicle control

Bus voltage, peak current, feedback, acceleration limits, regeneration and communications are coordinated with the vehicle control architecture.

Working-cycle verification

Range, thermal capacity, repeated starts, payload changes, ingress, vibration and auxiliary loads are checked over a representative route.

Representative product platforms

Featured Motor & Drive Families

Representative ratings are shown to identify the appropriate technology route. SDT can supply standard, modified and application-specific motor and drive solutions beyond the ranges currently displayed online.

12–72 V · 150 W–11 kW · PMDC, BLDC/PMSM and AC configurations

Transaxle Drive Systems

Integrated motor, reduction, differential, axle and brake solutions for compact vehicles.

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Direct-drive, PMSM/BLDC traction and auxiliary configurations · application-rated

Direct Drive & Traction Motors

Power-dense configurations for higher-performance propulsion duties.

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20 W–4.5 kW · selected windings to 20,000 rpm · Hall, encoder and drive options

Brushless DC Motors

Efficient controllable motors for traction and vehicle auxiliaries.

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6–240 VDC · 5–950 W · brake, feedback, shaft and winding options

PMDC Motors

Practical low-voltage platforms for auxiliary and intermittent functions.

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Engineering support & specification route

From Requirement to Production-Ready Solution

SDT works as an extension of the OEM engineering team, supporting the route from initial duty definition through configuration, validation and dependable production supply.

Define the requirement

Establish operating points, load, duty, envelope, environment, power source, controls and commercial objectives.

Configure the solution

Select and adapt the motor, transmission, feedback and drive arrangement around the complete equipment function.

Validate & supply

Verify performance and integration, support design transfer and establish the appropriate repeat-production route.

Related applications

Continue Exploring Industries & Applications

Vehicles & Electric TractionTraction motors and integrated electric drivetrains.Explore More Off-Highway EquipmentDemanding terrain and heavy mobile duties.Explore More Mobility & AccessibilityQuiet controlled low-voltage propulsion.Explore More

Discuss your application

Start with the Equipment Requirement

Share the operating points, duty cycle, environment, mechanical envelope, power source and production objective.

Discuss Your Project

Electric Drive Solutions for Utility & Light Vehicles

Application-to-Solution Guidance

Compact Commercial Vehicles

Municipal & Service Vehicles

What the Application Requires from the Drive System

Payload and gross vehicle mass

Wheel torque, speed and gradient

Acceleration, stopping and manoeuvring

Battery voltage and peak current

Range and representative route duty

Drivetrain ratio and mechanical interfaces

Ingress, shock and vibration

Controls, auxiliaries and production lifecycle

Engineer the Complete Motion System

Route-matched traction platform

Drivetrain and braking

Battery and vehicle control

Working-cycle verification

Featured Motor & Drive Families

Transaxle Drive Systems

Direct Drive & Traction Motors

Brushless DC Motors

PMDC Motors

From Requirement to Production-Ready Solution

Define the requirement

Configure the solution

Validate & supply

Continue Exploring Industries & Applications

Start with the Equipment Requirement