This does not sound good at all. According to industry magazine Bike Europe, the days could be numbered for the ZF Bike Eco System ebike drive from ZF Friedrichshafen AG. When it was unveiled in the summer of 2024, the drive with its ZF Centrix mid-motor received a very positive response, at least from the trade press. Despite the early praise, ZF appears to be taking a rather critical view of the chances of long-term economic success in the market. At least for the time being, the manufacturer is completely suspending its sales activities for this product.
1. What has ZF announced?
2. What is known about a possible reason for this step?
3. Does the cooperation with Raymon not provide a sufficient basis for the future of the ZF Bike Eco System?
4. How mature is the ZF Bike Eco System at this point in time?
5. How does the ZF Centrix compare to other ebike motors?
6. What has happened with this e-drive since its launch in 2024?
7. Which ebikes use a ZF Centrix?
1. What has ZF announced?
At the end of January, ZF published its financial report with preliminary company figures for 2025. It includes the following passage: ‘As part of its restructuring of Electrified Powertrain Technology division, ZF agreed with customers to terminate several projects early. These projects were unlikely to meet profitability targets due to slower EV adoption.’ However, the announcement does not specify which projects are meant.
Bike Europe then asked the company in Friedrichshafen directly. In response, a company spokesperson clarified the wording in the financial report to Bike Europe as follows: “Our press statement refers to our E-Mobility Division and is not related to our e-bike business. However, as you [meaning the editors of Bike Europe. Editor’s note] know, the e-bike market in Europe is also under pressure and we have suspended our sales activities in this area. We are currently reviewing how activities can be continued.”
As small as the ZF Centrix is, the mid-drive motor gives ebike manufacturers a great deal of freedom when integrating it into their ebikes.
2. What is known about a possible reason for this step?
The manufacturer did not disclose exactly what pressure ZF is facing. Bike Europe itself refers to rumours from within the industry. According to these rumours, an ebike manufacturer has withdrawn its commitment to integrate the ZF Bike Eco System into its ebikes. As this is an ‘important OEM customer’, ZF now finds itself in a difficult situation.
3. Does the cooperation with Raymon not provide a sufficient basis for the future of the ZF Bike Eco System?
ZF had probably hoped so. Not necessarily in economic terms. But as a flagship and springboard for finding further partners, the joint launch with Raymon was sure set to open many other doors for ZF. However, only a comparatively small series of Rayon Tarok bikes with the ZF Centrix was produced. Then Raymon let the cooperation expire. A Raymon spokesperson told Bike Europe that the strategic orientation of its own products had been the deciding factor. In future, the company will continue to work with Bosch and Yamaha as long-standing partners.
4. How mature is the ZF Bike Eco System at this point in time?
As outsiders, it is difficult for us to assess this. Since ZF first presented it to the general public at Eurobike 2024, we have unfortunately not had the opportunity to take it for a longer or shorter test ride. That said, as with the Raymon Tarok, it has already gone into series production and is currently being installed by other ebike manufacturers. We can therefore safely say that it is a roadworthy, operational system.
With ZF, one of the world’s largest automotive suppliers, as the manufacturer, it comes as no surprise that the ZF Bike Eco System operates at 48 volts, the typical operating voltage for motor vehicles. Its mid-drive motor, the ZF Centrix, is housed in a cylindrical casing. Its compactness is considered one of the great advantages of the e-drive. It measures just 88 millimetres in diameter and 118 millimetres in width. That is roughly equivalent to a standard 0.33 litre drinks can.
ZF produces two versions of the motor. The more powerful ZF Centrix 90 generates a torque of 105 Newton metres. It achieves a peak power output of 750 watts. The slightly slimmed-down version, the ZF Centrix 75, has a torque of 75 Newton metres and a peak power output of 450 watts. Both weigh around 2.5 kilograms and can be combined with derailleur or hub gears.
The motors draw their power from two batteries that can be integrated into the down tube. These deliver capacities of 756 watt hours and 504 watt hours. Access to the system is provided by a control unit that ebike manufacturers can integrate into the top tube. As a special feature, this unit offers a pogo pin connector that can be used to charge mobile devices while riding.
According to ZF, all components, including an optional lighting system, follow the plug-and-play principle and can be retrofitted if necessary. Thanks to functions such as navigation, route recording, bike status display and over-the-air software updates, the app is also considered state-of-the-art.
5. How does the ZF Centrix compare to other ebike motors?
According to the data sheet, the motor is on par with well-known full-power motors such as the Bosch Performance Line CX, the Avinox M1, the Qore Drive3 Peak and the Giant SyncDrive Pro 3. Power and torque are abundant. Together with its low weight and compact dimensions, it basically meets all the requirements that both ebike riders and brands place on such a unit.
It should be noted once again that we have not yet been able to test drive the ZF Centrix ourselves. Therefore, we cannot assess details such as the general riding experience, responsiveness or noise levels.
6. What has happened with this e-drive since its launch in 2024?
One year after its presentation, in the summer of 2025, the motor received a performance update. Since then, the ZF Centrix has had a torque of 105 Newton metres. The peak power output increased from 600 watts to 750 watts.
ZF has also created three new riding profiles for the drive: Race, Wet and Ride. Wet is a separate setting for wet conditions. This kind of specialisation is not found in other ebike systems. ZF is essentially breaking new ground here and demonstrating its own innovative potential.
Eeven at the beginning of 2025, the manufacturer announced details of its service concept. It offered specialist retailers initial training courses on how to handle the drive system in the workshop. Tutorials were also made available on a separate dealer portal. Sales partners could also download material there to support sales in their shops. In addition, the dispatch of spare parts from the headquarters in Friedrichshafen began.
7. Which ebikes use a ZF Centrix?
As mentioned, the Raymon Tarok was launched in 2024. You now know how this chapter ended. You can find the other ebikes we know of here. Both the brevity of the list and the brands represented in it probably reflect the lack of initial success of the ZF Bike Eco System with the ZF Centrix. Without wishing to offend the brands mentioned, it is fair to say that they are not exactly the who’s who of the ebike industry.
Models with ZF Centrix
- Raymon Tarok e-mountain bike, series discontinued
- Bergstrom Peak 2024 e-mountain bike, series apparently discontinued
- Ultima Mobility eGravel Yang Urban and Ultima Mobility eGravel Yin Sport e-gravel bikes
Raymon Tarok
Ultima Mobility eGravel Yin Sport
The ZF Centrix is not the only ebike motor from ZF. The Sachs RS, for example, has been part of the company’s portfolio since the days of the former ZF Sachs Micro Mobility GmbH. The future of this drive system also appears to be uncertain at present.
Models with Sachs RS
- Storck e:drenalin.2 e-mountain bike
- Mäx & Mäleon e-cargo bike
- Buddy X1 urban ebike
ZF also lists the Italian manufacturer Cybro and Radkutsche as cooperation partners on its website. However, we were unable to determine whether, and if so, which current ebikes use a ZF system.
Following the sale of Brose’s ebike division to Yamaha, this could be the second withdrawal of an automotive supplier within a short period of time. In addition, Porsche recently ended part of its involvement in the ebike sector.
Pictures: ZF Micro Mobility GmbH; R Raymon Bicycles GmbH; Ultima Mobility