Right now, the hottest thing in electrification is pickup trucks. Most of the early examples seem to be using purpose-built platforms and drivetrains to meet the challenge, such as with the GMC Hummer EV and its fully independent suspension. But a new product from Magna may make it easier to electrify even more truck platforms than if every manufacturer was developing specialty trucks.

Magna calls it the eBeam, and it's a solid axle with either one or two electric motors positioned in the middle. And that's really about the extent of the design. But it's important because this electrified axle is designed to bolt right where an old rear axle for an internal combustion powertrain would go. It can work with existing truck frames and suspension systems. So you could hypothetically create a fully electric version of an existing truck quickly and easily. Not only that, but the live axle would maintain the off-road articulation that many truck fans appreciate, plus it's a simple and rugged design.

There will be a variety of eBeam models available with different sizes and configurations that can be scaled for truck type and volume. It can use a single motor and single-speed transmission, a single motor with two-speed transmission, or dual motors, which would also allow for torque vectoring. Power output ranges from 161 horsepower to 335. Magna also notes that it can help develop and provide an electric motor for the front wheels and axles for four-wheel-drive applications. This would mainly leave automakers with battery placement to sort out.

Magna hasn't said if any automakers have decided to use the eBeam, and similarly no automakers have said anything about working with Magna. We did notice that the electric Ford F-150 one of our spy photographers caught recently has a rear axle design that doesn't look massive different to this, and Magna has worked with Ford before in developing the brand's trailer steer system. Then again, they're grainy photos, so we may be missing some important differences. And any similarities could be completely coincidental. Regardless, we think the potential of easily adapted electric axles for more rapid fleet electrification is great.

Magna has announced a new EV drivetrain called the eBeam, which seems like the EV solution to ladder-frame pickups enthusiasts have clamored for. The drivetrain aims to drop into current body-on-frame trucks replacing the internal combustion drivetrain, and leaving behind a fully capable EV truck.

I suppose it was about time that a company like Magna, one of the largest auto parts makers and contractors in the world, made a system like this.

I had a good laugh when Magna Powertrain President, Tom Rucker, lowkey threw shade at pickup drivers, saying, “change can be scary for pickup truck owners.” He’s not wrong! Even though they’re holdouts for large-displacement engines and simple ladder frame construction, trucks are one of the largest car segments, as Rucker points out, accounting for 20 percent of new vehicles sold in 2020. It’s one of the last segments to embrace the EV transition.

The eBeam wants to fix this by giving automakers a system that can reuse their regular, old ladder frame platforms leaving their current suspension setups in place. What’s left is all the trucky things drivers love but none of the emissions. Or, maybe with lowered emissions since this system can accommodate both PHEV systems or BEV systems. Magna elaborates on this new versatile drivetrain in the following:
It’s even possible to put the eBeam into light commercial vehicles with Rucker saying that “a simple gear ratio change is all that is needed to transition from pickup truck service to light commercial vehicle service.”

The eBeam as an EV pickup system is undoubtedly cool, but its light commercial application interests me more because of the sheer scale it could provide. Imagine how many government agencies or commercial fleets could partner with automakers to transition current fleets. All those latent EVs and they’re already sitting on lots!

This isn’t some off-the-shelf EV conversion, either. As cool as that would be, Magna specifies the eBeam is for automakers and not the general public. That could be because eBeam installation is not exactly a matter of drop in and done even if Magna makes it seem like it is.Truck makers will have to tweak current platforms for batteries because electrification does not entail swapping out a gas tank with battery packs; it’s just not that easy.

The eBeam gets truck makers nearly there but they have to do some of their own heavy lifting. Though it could help two huge segments transition to either hybrid or full electrification sooner rather than later.