Liang XUE, Emmanuel PINOT, Emmanuel MATRAY, TotalEnergies Lubricants Technology and Product Engineering Flavio SARTI, Richard VERNAY, TotalEnergies R&D
TotalEnergies Lubrifiants developed the first standardized specifications for Electric Drive System (EDS) fluids. This new performance standard is a first in the industry for hybrid and electric vehicles.
Pioneering electrical lubrication
In 2019, TotalEnergies Lubrifiants introduced Quartz, Rubia and Hi-Perf EV Fluids, the world’s first ranges of fluids specifically engineered for hybrid and electric vehicles, covering both light and heavy vehicles as well as two-wheelers. These fluids were designed to meet the specific requirements of hybrid and electric vehicles, as well as associated electrical, thermal, and frictional constraints.
TotalEnergies Lubrifiants EV Fluids were also designed to meet the needs of automobile manufacturers and support them in developing eicient driveline systems, while maintaining the vehicles in optimum operating conditions throughout their service life.
Today, TotalEnergies Lubrifiants is once again demonstrating its commitment to innovation in hybrid and electric vehicle lubrication by developing the first standardized specifications for Electric Drive System (EDS) fluids.
This development comes at a time when no standard exists for EV fluids, unlike conventional transmission oils. This standard has been drawn up to ensure that EV fluids meet strict criteria such as viscosity, oxidation, corrosion, durability and material compatibility, while optimizing the fuel eiciency and performance of electric motors and transmissions.
A comprehensive specification
TotalEnergies Lubrifiants has taken the lead in developing this specification tailored specifically for these fluids. Leveraging its expertise and cutting-edge testing resources, TotalEnergies has introduced this new performance standard, a first in the industry for hybrid and electric vehicles. This standard is designed to provide crucial support for automobile and parts manufacturers.
This very first specification has been achieved through a selection of test procedures. Based on TotalEnergies Lubrifiants’ extensive expertise in the field of fluids, this methodological development process firstly guarantees the good physicochemical properties of Quartz, Rubia and Hi-Perf EV Fluids, as well as their compatibility with diferent materials, in particular the new materials used in electrical applications, compared with conventional transmissions. Next, the tribological properties and durability of TotalEnergies Lubrifiants EV Fluids has been verified and confirmed at component level for gears and bearings. In addition, this process has included the creation of several test benches. First, a standardized bench was created to test the eiciency of the transmission at high speed in order to classify fluids according to their ability to improve battery life. A standardized bench was then developed for drive units to classify fluids according to their thermal capacity in electric motors. Finally, a durability methodology has been designed, based on road data and implemented on powertrain test beds, to speed up the vehicle validation process by reducing the time required.
The new specification is an industry first for electric vehicles. It is designed to ensure that TotalEnergies EV Fluids deliver outstanding performance when faced with the specific challenges of electric applications. It demonstrates once again TotalEnergies’ pioneering role in the transition era of vehicle electrification and its commitment to developing cutting-edge vehicle technologies, as well as its commitment to supporting vehicle manufacturers with innovative and tailored solutions and tools. With this new EV Fluids standard, TotalEnergies Lubrifiants continues to strengthen its position as a leading innovator in electric and hybrid vehicle lubrication.
