At IAA Mobility 2025, ZF is showcasing how tomorrow’s cars will drive: electrified, connected, and safe. The company is already supplying production-ready electric drives, by-wire systems, and advanced chassis software. With these solutions, ZF is shaping the software-defined electric vehicle of the future.
In e-mobility, ZF is setting new benchmarks. Its SELECT platform combines integrated electric drives, power electronics, and software. Additionally, the new TherMaS thermal management system optimizes energy efficiency by tailoring temperature control to the needs of modern EVs.
Software-Defined Vehicles and Global Megatrends
The automotive industry is being reshaped by three megatrends: software-defined vehicles, automated driving, and e-mobility. These trends are increasing the demand for ZF’s technology.
“ZF innovations have always been the basis for a successful future,” explained Dr. Holger Klein, CEO of ZF. “We have consistently aligned our product range with future passenger car mobility. Today, we are ideally positioned for stable trends like software-defined vehicles and driveline electrification.”
Chassis Innovations Driving Market Success
ZF’s strength is especially visible in the passenger car chassis segment. The company meets global demand for smarter driving functions with intelligent actuators and strong software expertise.
As a result, ZF is the leading supplier of steer-by-wire and brake-by-wire solutions, securing series orders from automakers across China, Europe, and North America. Both established global OEMs and dynamic startups rely on ZF as a development partner.
With its Chassis 2.0 concept, ZF takes a holistic approach to the next generation of intelligent chassis systems. This includes:
- Steer-by-wire and brake-by-wire solutions
- AKC rear-axle steering
- Active and semi-active damping systems
- Electronic roll stabilization
These components can be networked at vehicle level to improve driving behavior or support ADAS and automated driving functions. ZF’s cubiX software plays a key role by connecting actuators intelligently, regardless of brand, enabling OEMs to leverage ZF’s expertise even without hardware.
SELECT E-Drive Platform and TherMaS Thermal Management
ZF’s SELECT e-drive platform provides modular and flexible drive configurations. This allows faster innovation, shorter development times, and optimized costs for OEMs.
The platform integrates motors, inverters, converters, reduction gears, and software, while also supporting hybrid solutions like the new 8HP evo automatic transmission and a range extender concept.
In addition, ZF is enhancing EV efficiency with TherMaS, its advanced thermal management system. Using propane as a refrigerant, TherMaS delivers better thermal performance while reducing size and weight.
Tests show that optimized heat management can increase EV range by up to 10% in winter and up to 30% under extreme conditions.
Vehicle Health Monitoring and AI-Driven Solutions
ZF is expanding into digital monitoring services for chassis and driveline systems. By analyzing real-time data, ZF can predict failures, recommend repairs, and improve performance.
These services are especially valuable for rental fleets, company cars, and shared mobility. Furthermore, ZF is using artificial intelligence to improve solutions such as TempAI. This AI-driven thermal model enhances forecasting accuracy by 15%, enabling more precise electric motor temperature control.
ZF ProAI: The Scalable Central Computer
As ADAS requirements grow worldwide, vehicles increasingly rely on domain and zone controllers or central computers. ZF addresses this with its ProAI family, a scalable and modular central computing platform.
ProAI supports all vehicle types, from entry-level ADAS systems to supercomputers capable of autonomous driving. Moreover, ZF offers 30+ ADAS and parking functions as software-as-a-product, giving manufacturers greater flexibility and faster development.
ZF LIFETEC: Safety and Comfort Innovations
At IAA Mobility 2025, ZF LIFETEC is presenting cutting-edge passive safety solutions. Highlights include the Heat Belt 2.0 seatbelt and a retractable steering wheel concept.
- The Heat Belt 2.0 uses integrated heating wires to reduce energy consumption and increase efficiency, helping extend vehicle range.
- The retractable steering wheel reflects the trend toward flexible interiors. It folds into the dashboard, creating more freedom for occupants, especially in automated driving modes.
Driving the Future of Mobility
From chassis systems to AI-driven software, from electrified drives to thermal innovation, ZF is positioning itself at the heart of tomorrow’s mobility. Its comprehensive portfolio demonstrates how the company is enabling safe, efficient, and intelligent vehicles for the next generation.