[KixxPedia] What is the Role Lubricants and Fluids in Electric Vehicles

A technological revolution is quietly taking place on city streets around the world. Driven by a combination of changing consumer attitudes, shifts in emissions regulations, as well as technological innovations, electric vehicles have now become a permanent fixture in everyday life.

With sustainability topping the global agenda, the future of mobility is set to be centered around battery-powered vehicles. Their rise in popularity has fueled demand for specialized lubricants and fluids that are designed to address unique technical challenges and deliver maximum performance.

The Role Lubricants and Fluids in Electric Vehicles

Changing the engine oil and transmission fluid in conventional gasoline vehicles is key to keeping the engine and components in the powertrain lubricated and protected. While the electric motor and powertrain in EVs do not need engine oil or transmission fluid in the conventional sense, they require specialized lubricants to operate efficiently.

Electric motors provide much higher rotational speeds than combustion engines. While the rotational speed of a typical 4-cyliner ICE peaks at around 6,000 rpm, an electric motor could reach up to 20,000 rpm. Therefore, electric motors need lubricants to protect components from extreme fluctuations and high-speed in power flow. In addition, lubrication is also key to increasing the performance of the reducer in EVs.

EVs also require thermal management fluids to maximize performance. Specifically, the batteries operate most effectively within a narrow range of temperature. They could take longer to charge and dispense less energy if the temperature is too cold. On the other hand, extreme heat could cause degradation and compromise safety.

The Challenges of Lubricating EVs

Packed with cutting-edge innovations, EVs need lubricants and fluids that are optimized to deal with a wide range of unique challenges.

Maximizing range is one of the top priorities for EV drivers. Synthetic lubricants with advanced additives have shown to be able to greatly reduce friction between components, resulting in significant improvements in energy efficiency. All lubricants and fluids for EVs must also be formulated to minimize interference with electrical components while lubricants for the motor and reducer need to remain stable at extreme temperatures.

With automotive manufacturers creating increasingly complex components for EVs, the challenges of developing specialized lubricants will continue to grow in the future.

Unlocking a Greener Future

To meet the growing demand for specialized lubricants, Kixx has launched a new range of advanced fluids for EVs.

Building on GS Caltex’s in-depth research and expertise, the Kixx Electric Vehicle Fluid lineup is engineered to improve durability and deliver peak operational efficiency. The E-Transmission Fluid range, which includes Kixx EV Motor Reducer Oil and Kixx EV Integrated Fluid, is formulated to provide enhanced protection for components in EV powertrains. Meanwhile, Kixx E-Thermal Fluid is engineered to maximize the efficiency of EV batteries by delivering effective temperature control.

To learn more about the Kixx Electric Vehicle Fluid range, please visit https://news.kixxoil.com/introducing-kixx-ev-maximum-performance-engineered-for-a-greener-future/