Abstract: An axle drive apparatus includes a first rotor assembly with a first output shaft and a second rotor assembly with a second output shaft for providing independent rotation of the first and second output shafts. There also includes a first and second conductive assembly for, respectively, conducting electrical current into a inducing rotation of the first and the second rotor. Finally, an axial housing commonly connects the first and second rotor and the first and second brush card assembly. A method of operating an axle drive apparatus includes supplying current to a first conductive and second conductive assembly, respectively, to conduct the current into and inducing rotation of a first and second rotor assembly. Then the axle drive is operated by engaging a first rotor assembly and a second rotor assembly, respectively, providing independent rotation of a first and a second output shaft.