L2M QC Spring 2025 | Electric axles for semi-trailers

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from road freight in Canada have doubled since 1990, now making up a third of transport-related emissions. However, fleet managers hesitate to switch to electric trucks due to high costs, technical limitations, and uncertain government subsidies. This project introduces a motorized electric axle that replaces a traditional axle on a semi-trailer. By assisting in propulsion, it reduces fuel consumption, making trucking more energy-efficient. This market is growing and could reach USD 8.33 billion globally by 2030. The innovation uses special sensors to improve electric axle performance, offering key advantages:

Autonomous operation, allowing use with any truck and lowering implementation costs.
Regenerative braking, improving efficiency and reducing brake wear.
Better maneuverability, reducing tire wear.
Vibration control, improving durability.
Easy retrofitting, making adoption flexible for fleet managers.

The sensors were developed during a PhD research project and installed on a trailer in 2023. Testing has since covered 3,000+ km. Challenges include low awareness of this technology, unclear regulations, unreliable subsidies, and the need for a strong commercialization strategy. The Lab2Market program can help bring this innovation to market, reducing emissions and improving transport efficiency in Canada.

Faculty Supervisor:

André Begin-Drolet

Student:

Partner:

V1 Studio

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Transportation (excluding aerospace)

University:

Université Laval

Program: