Shell has extended its specialized fluids portfolio – Shell E-Fluids – to support battery electric (BEV) as well as fuel cell electric (FCEV) powertrains for commercial light, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.
Shell says it works with truck and bus manufacturers to co-engineer bespoke fluids that meet the specific needs of their different electric drivetrains for their commercial vehicle models. This extension to the portfolio builds on the launch of the Shell E-Fluids range for passenger vehicles in May 2019.
The Shell E-Fluids range for commercial vehicles consists of e-transmission fluids, e-greases and battery thermal fluids. Shell says performance benefits of Shell E-Fluids for commercial vehicles include:
- Oxidation stability which results in longer lifetime of the lubricant.
- Even at high temperatures, the company says standard oxidation tests show that the Shell E-Fluid technology oxidizes 50% less compared to a competitor E-Fluid solution.
- Up to eight times lower electrical conductivity when cooling the electric motor under typical operating conditions temperatures, compared to a conventional transmission fluid designed for heavy-duty ICE commercial vehicles, the company says.
- More copper erosion due to the reduction of sulfur content in combination with its optimized additive system.
- Higher thermal conductivity enabling higher cooling capabilities for end windings of electric motors and gearbox lubrication.
