A Boost for Innovation in Zero-Emission Mobility: Knorr-Bremse Continues to Drive Forward Zero-Emission Technologies for Commercial Vehicles
Knorr-Bremse positions itself as a development partner for OEMs in the transition to zero-emission commercial vehicles
Focus on technologies for emissions reduction, electrification, and sustainable fleet operations
More than just CO₂ reduction: At Knorr-Bremse, zero-emission also encompasses noise, oil, and particulate emissions, as well as system efficiency
Trade show debut at IAA Transportation: the new oil-free eCompressor MTP
Zero emissions represent both a major challenge and an opportunity for the commercial vehicle industry. Diverse market dynamics, regulatory requirements, and new vehicle architectures are increasing the complexity faced by commercial vehicle manufacturers. Knorr-Bremse supports OEMs with integrable system solutions on their path toward zero-emission commercial vehicles. At IAA Transportation 2026 in Hanover, the company will showcase technologies and innovations designed to reduce CO₂, noise, oil, and particulate emissions.
Bernd Spies, Member of the Executive Board of Knorr-Bremse AG and responsible for the Commercial Vehicle Systems Division: “Zero emissions in road transport remains our clear goal. At the same time, we see very different paces and framework conditions for this transformation around the world. In this environment, Knorr-Bremse is a stable and reliable development partner for commercial vehicle manufacturers. We bring together technology, regulations, and cost-effectiveness—with flexible system solutions on the path to zero-emission commercial vehicles, without compromising on safety and performance.”
Electrification is the technological driver on the path to zero emissions—but it is not the only one. Knorr-Bremse therefore takes a broader view of zero emissions: In addition to reducing CO₂ emissions, lowering noise, oil, and particulate emissions, achieving greater system efficiency, also play an important role. Electrification is of central importance for zero-emission transportation, but its implementation varies greatly from region to region. This is because factors such as total cost of ownership (TCO), regulation, technology, and infrastructure determine the pace at which new solutions gain acceptance in individual markets.
Knorr-Bremse has tailored its zero-emission strategy to these diverse market requirements. Drawing on its experience with safety-critical systems, its expertise in braking technologies, and its global footprint, the company develops scalable, globally deployable, zero-emission-capable system solutions specifically designed to meet the requirements of low-emission and fully electric commercial vehicles. These solutions can be flexibly adapted to different applications and vehicle architectures.
One example of this development strategy is the electrically driven compressor: In recent years, Knorr-Bremse has analyzed and tested various compression concepts to identify the optimal technology for future electrified commercial vehicles. The result of this development work is the new oil-free electric Multi Tumble Piston (MTP) compressor. Its design focused in particular on cost, scalability, and energy efficiency, ensuring that it can perform effectively across a variety of vehicle concepts and markets. The MTP will make its debut at IAA Transportation 2026.
Wheel end technologies for low-emission commercial vehicles.
The SYNACT® modular disc brake family sets a new standard in performance, weight, and system efficiency. For OEMs and fleet operators, this means lower energy consumption, reduced operating costs, and an improved overall balance over the vehicle’s life cycle. The Active Caliper Release (ACR) can help reduce fuel consumption and lower the CO2 footprint, while the NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness) toolbox enables noise-optimized performance, particularly in urban driving.
With the impending introduction of the EURO 7 standard, brake dust emissions are also coming under greater regulatory scrutiny. For vehicle manufacturers, the development of low-emission wheel end solutions is therefore becoming increasingly important. This is an area for which Knorr-Bremse has specifically prepared its wheel end technologies. As a reliable technology partner, Knorr-Bremse supports its customers with a modular system approach and is developing solutions for various EURO 7 implementation scenarios. In addition to product developments, this effort is underpinned by a strong network of partners and industry contacts, as well as investments in high-performance testing infrastructure.
Systems for electrified vehicle architectures.
Electric Vehicle Motion Control (eVMC) maximizes energy recovery through intelligent brake control. With this software, Knorr-Bremse optimizes the longitudinal dynamics of electric commercial vehicles and increases energy recovery during braking. For vehicle manufacturers, this means greater energy efficiency as well as more stable and precise handling. eVMC is part of the modular brake control system Global Scalable Brake Control (GSBC) and optimizes energy recovery through an advanced brake-blending strategy. The software can be flexibly integrated into various electric powertrain configurations—from a central electric motor to multi-motor layouts with axle- or wheel-specific drive systems.
Electric Power Steering (EPS) enables fully electric steering for efficient vehicle architectures. In this way, Knorr-Bremse supports the electrification and automation of commercial vehicles. Thanks to its “power-on-demand” principle, EPS reduces energy and fuel consumption regardless of the powertrain technology, thereby lowering CO₂ emissions and operating costs. For manufacturers and fleet operators, this means up to 90 percent less energy consumption compared to conventional systems, as well as low-maintenance operation. At the same time, the fully electric steering system requires no oil changes, enables seamless integration into existing vehicle architectures, and lays the technical groundwork for steer-by-wire—the next generation of steering systems without a mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the steering actuator. Thanks to its intelligent safety concept, there is also no need for a redundant power supply. The EPS is scheduled to be launched in 2027.
eCompressor (MTP) provides an oil-free electric air supply for commercial vehicles. The MTP expands Knorr-Bremse’s portfolio of electric compressors for electrified commercial vehicles. The oil-free compressor was developed with efficiency, robustness, and cost-effectiveness in mind. This results in an optimized life cycle with more operating kilometers and lower energy consumption, which can lead to lower total cost of ownership for fleet operators. Whether in Asia, Europe, or North America, the compressor’s modular architecture allows it to be flexibly adapted to different vehicle platforms and regional market requirements. The MTP complements Knorr-Bremse’s existing range of electric screw and vane compressors, which covers the entire spectrum of electrified commercial vehicles—from electric trucks to electric articulated buses with high air demand.
eSilencer reduces noise emissions from pneumatic braking systems. The silencer therefore particularly supports the use of electrified commercial vehicles in noise-sensitive areas. The eSilencer reduces noise emissions during the release of compressed air to 68 dB(A), significantly falling below the current standard of 72 dB(A).
Power Resistor (iMEP) ensures reliable and emission-free continuous braking performance for electrified commercial vehicles. Continuous braking performance is independent of the battery state, thereby supporting safe and efficient driving strategies. The liquid-cooled, high-performance braking resistor system is scalable and can be seamlessly integrated into drivetrain, thermal, and energy management systems. Thanks to a flexible system design featuring a dual-resistor approach and additional thermal functions, the system extends its role beyond mere braking and creates added value at the overall vehicle level.
Meet us at Knorr-Bremse: Hall 12, Booth C21
At IAA Transportation 2026, Knorr-Bremse will showcase technologies and solutions for the future of commercial vehicles—from zero-emission vehicles and highly automated driving to safety and digital services for fleet operations. The experts at Knorr-Bremse look forward to welcoming visitors in person at their booth from September 15–20, 2026, in Hanover, Hall 12, Booth C21.