ELECTRIC AXLE WITH COMPACT ELECTRIC MACHINE AND GEARBOX ARRANGEMENT

An electric axle is provided. The electric axle includes, in one example, a first electric machine directly coupled to a first planetary gear set, a second electric machine directly coupled to a second planetary gear set and a housing. The housing includes a first section that encloses the first electric machine and the first planetary gear set, a second section that encloses the second electric machine and the second planetary gear set, and a decreased diameter section that extends between the first section and the second section.