An axle assembly for frame rail vehicles is described herein. The axle assembly includes a first axle shaft and a second axle shaft orientated along a first axis of rotation. A first electric machine is orientated along a second axis of rotation and a second electric machine is spaced from the first electric machine and orientated along a third axis of rotation. A differential gear set is disposed about the first axis of rotation and is coupled to and driven by a common gear reduction to transfer rotational torque from the first and second electric machines to the first and second axle shafts. A speed change mechanism is coupled between the common gear reduction and the differential gear set to change the rotational torque transferred to the first and second axle shafts.