The Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE) released a special report on the Next-Generation Gear Lubricants for Electric Vehicles.
Electric vehicles (EVs) are redefining drivetrain design, placing new demands on gear lubrication as high-speed, compact gearboxes operate under continuous loads and elevated temperatures. Balancing efficiency and durability is a key challenge: lower-viscosity fluids improve energy efficiency but reduce film thickness and increase wear risk, and EV-specific electrical effects like stray currents add another layer of complexity that current test methods don’t fully capture. As EV adoption grows, dedicated lubricants will be critical to unlocking safe, efficient performance in the next generation of EV drivetrains.
“This report reflects how quickly gear lubrication has had to evolve alongside electric drivetrain technology,” said Rebecca Lintow, CAE, STLE executive director. “Understanding the trade-offs between efficiency, durability, and electrical performance will be essential as EV adoption accelerates.”
This free digital special report is now available for download at https://www.stle.org/gearlubricants.
