ZF's Commercial Vehicle Solutions division has introduced a new air compressor designed to enhance the efficiency and operation of electrified commercial vehicles.

The e-comp Scroll, an advanced air compressor, is oil-free, low-noise, and minimises vibration, and makes it suitable for medium and heavy-duty hybrid, battery electric, and fuel cell trucks, buses, and coaches.

This innovative product had its public debut at the Advanced Clean Transportation Expo in California, US, and at Auto Shanghai in China.

Compressed air is essential in commercial vehicles, even as the industry moves towards electrification. It supports critical systems such as air disc brakes, suspension, and other auxiliary functions.

In electric vehicles, the air compressor is driven by its own electric motor, a shift from the conventional vehicles where the compressor is powered by the combustion engine.

The e-comp Scroll addresses the increased noticeability of compressor noise in quieter electric vehicles by using interlocking scrolls to compress air, resulting in reduced vibration and noise emissions of about 67dB(A).

ZF CVS Chassis Solutions head of product Line Paweł Porczyński said: "By offering an oil-free, low-noise and low-vibration air compression system, we are addressing the technological challenges posed by zero-emission targets for electric vehicles.

“The innovative design of the e-comp Scroll ensures efficient air compression while significantly reducing Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) through low maintenance resulting from elimination of oil lubrication. By automatically switching off between compression cycles, the e-comp Scroll saves energy while enhancing the overall experience for the driver, passengers and other road users alike.

It also expands our growing portfolio of innovative products and systems that help drive the industry’s transformation towards zero-emission commercial vehicle mobility.”

The e-comp Scroll is powered by an integrated electric motor and can compress air up to 12.5 bar in a single stage.

It also features variable speed operation to adjust to system demand. An integrated inverter and a liquid cooling shell help manage the discharge temperature, maintaining it below 90°C.

Last month, ZF has announced advancements in range extender technology for electric vehicles, with production expected to begin in 2026.