ELECTRIC AXLE WITH COMPACT ELECTRIC MACHINE AND GEAR TRAIN LAYOUT

Systems and method for an electric axle assembly. The electric axle assembly includes, in one example, an electric machine rotationally coupled to a planetary differential and a first and second axle shaft directly rotationally coupled to the planetary differential. In the axle assembly, the second axle shaft is longer than the first axle shaft and the electric machine is positioned laterally between a first drive wheel shaft and a second drive wheel shaft that are rotationally coupled to the first axle shaft and the second axle shaft.