What is the difference between independent suspension and rigid axle suspension?
The commercial vehicle industry is switching from rigid axle to independent suspension. As the commercial vehicles are shifting to electric, the vehicle needs and accordingly the chassis structures are changing significantly. In electric commercial vehicles, weight and packaging are becoming much more critical. Electric vehicle manufacturers have higher tendency to pay the price premium of independent suspensions, considering its benefits in layout flexibility and in weight reduction, hence energy efficiency.
However, despite the strong rise of independent axles, there are still some doubts on which type to select: Independent suspension or rigid axle suspension?
It is quite clear that in terms of technology and performance, independent suspensions are outperforming the rigid ones. Anyway, for best-fit selection various criteria should be taken into account. Below, you can find a high-level comparison from both technical and commercial perspective.
 Independent Suspension |  Rigid Axle | |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | Lighter | Heavier |
| Comfort & Dynamic | Top level performance | Standard level performance |
| Width Flexibility | Customizable vehicle width | No customization flexibility |
| Turning Flexibility | Customizable in design phase | No customization flexibility |
| Fit to Electric Vehicles | Good for electric vehicles built with pure electric vehicle design mindset, considering lighweight, and flexibility to build a new vehicle family with same axles | Good for replacement market having its traditional versions built on rigid axle suspensions |
| Tender Strategy | Might be strategic to meet the tender requirements | Might result missing tenders with independent suspension requirements |
| Unit Cost | Reasonable level of unit cost | Lower cost solution, especially if used with leaf springs |
Get the best fit axle with BRIST
Customer contact of BRIST Axle always starts via understanding technical requirements and needs. In the first stage, customers are asked to fill the application form, where they specify key technical specs of their vehicle to be built.
After analyzing the need and several discussion between engineering teams, the best-fit BRIST axles are offered, as well as some customizated solutions if needed. Having a broad and innovative axles portolio, BRIST independent and rigid axles are running across the globe through leading vehicle manucaturers. (e.g. BYD, Arrival, CRRC, Bluebus, Isuzu, Karsan, Otokar, BMC, GrandeWest and many more)
Axles construct the basis of the vehicle and hence, axle selection plays a vital role in market success of the vehicle.
Get in touch with us and get the best fit axles to your commercial vehicle!