ZF reaches 250 million electric parking brake units, marking a milestone

ZF, a manufacturer with experience in electric parking brake (EPB) technology, has reached a production milestone of over 250 million EPB units. The company introduced this technology nearly 25 years ago with a motor-on-caliper brake design, and its latest, sixth-generation EPB represents an advanced mechanical system that aligns with the industry's shift toward brake system electrification and the transition to brake-by-wire systems.

Alongside its work in EPB, ZF has also produced over 500 million Integrated Park Brake (IPB) units, indicating a substantial presence in the park brake systems market. This milestone highlights ZF's role in developing brake system technology with a focus on driver safety and brake system performance.

Developed primarily for use on the rear axle, the electronic parking brake prevents the vehicle from rolling away after it has been parked – whether in a small car or a van.

The EPB technology offers potential benefits, such as reducing the overall weight of the brake system, which can improve fuel efficiency. It marks a move from traditional mechanical to more electrified systems. When integrated with other vehicle systems, EPB can enable additional functions, contribute to driver safety with two-wheel anti-lock emergency stops, and provide convenient activation via a button. The EPB system is designed to be fully integrated into the vehicle's braking system, featuring dynamic actuation and brake pad wear sensing to minimize degradation compared to conventional mechanical systems.

Danny Milot, Senior Vice President of Braking Engineering at ZF, noted that the company's early presence in foundation brake systems played a role in the development of its EPB technology, which has since been incorporated into a range of vehicles, from smaller cars to larger SUVs and pick-up trucks. ZF's braking product range includes integrated park brake systems and full EPB systems, with more than three billion braking parts produced over the past 50 years.

As the automotive industry progresses toward advanced safety, automated driving, and electrification, ZF continues to develop braking systems that align with these trends, providing electronically controlled steering, brake, and damping systems.