Next Generation, High Efficiency Grease for Electric Vehicles Developed in Racing Applications
In recent history significant progress has been made in improving the efficiency of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles by advancing engine and lubricant designs. As we change to electric drive systems, there are opportunities for advances in lubrication technology resulting in lower energy consumption and increased battery range. Lubricating greases play a significant role in electric vehicle (EV) lubricant applications such as wheel bearings, constant velocity joints, e-motor bearings. Little progress has been made in the development of EV specific lubricating greases and many of today’s EVs use greases typical of their ICE counterparts. Lubrication materials must provide critical tribological protection while minimizing energetic losses to viscous dissipation, friction, and heat generation. Technologies developed for racing have resulted in lubricating greases that greatly reduce these energy losses while maintaining critical tribological performance. Valvoline has developed a novel, patented grease technology that creates dramatic reduction in energy losses and decreases friction while maintaining component life. Significant efficiency gains of up to 11.2% have been demonstrated versus advanced racing greases per lubricated bearing in dynamometer testing. A method for laboratory efficiency testing has also been developed to measure relative energy usage differences across greases. Comparison of efficiency data generated in the laboratory have shown efficiency gains of up to 50% vs. traditional grease technologies. These advancements have demonstrated significant energy savings and future work aims to continue the evolution of this technology to improve EV performance and range over the life of the battery pack.
