Electric drive axle powerpath & the drive axle made therewith

An electric drive axle, comprising:

• a first axle shaft;
• a second axle shaft coaxial with said first axle shaft;
• a differential apparatus having a differential case, wherein said differential apparatus operatively connects said first and second axle shafts;
• an electric motor having a stator and a rotor;
• a driving shaft coupled for rotation with said rotor disposed parallel with said first axle shaft;
• a first driving gear disposed on said driving shaft;
• a driven shaft having a first driven gear and a second driven gear, wherein said first driven gear meshes with said first driving gear;
• a layshaft disposed parallel with said first axle shaft;
• a first layshaft gear coupled with said layshaft and meshed with said second driven gear;
• a second layshaft gear disposed on said layshaft;
• and
• a first drive gear coupled with said differential case and in meshed engagement with said second layshaft gear.