MULTI-SPEED ELECTRIC AXLE WITH COAXIAL ARCHITECTURE

A system and method for a multi-speed electric axle. The multi-speed electric axle includes, in one example, an electric machine rotationally coupled to sun gear in a first planetary gear set, a second planetary gear set rotationally coupled to a carrier in the first planetary gear set, a third planetary gear set rotationally coupled to the second planetary gear set, and a differential rotationally coupled to the third planetary gear set. In the multi-speed electric axle, the electric machine, the first planetary gear set, the second planetary gear set, the third planetary gear set, and the differential are coaxially arranged.