According to the Environmental Protection Agency, transportation is the largest contributor of greenhouse gas emissions (28% of total emissions). Electric vehicles have remarkably grown in popularity and represent a greener future for the automotive industry. This growth has prompted lubricant and grease technology to adapt to an entirely new environment, which is exposed to new factors including external electric currents/fields and extreme temperatures and pressures originating from electric motors and power electronics. Consequently, novel lubricants and greases need to be developed and explored to ultimately improve fuel efficiency and performance. Nano-additives have offered exceptional opportunities to enhance electrical, thermal and tribological properties of the lubricants and greases used. It is thus vital to fully explore and understand the effects of nanoparticles' addition to lubricants and greases, as well as the mechanisms by which improvements are obtained. This perspective summarises the recent trends of developing lubricants and greases for electric vehicles.
Future progress in hybrid and battery vehicles heavily relies on the optimization of involved battery components and lubricants. Attention must specifically be given to the material composition and surface coatings of the electrodes as well as the electrolyte used to maximize energy output, while also ensuring safety. Additionally, prioritizing the effective utilization of specific lubricants for electric motors and various tribological contacts, such as wheel bearings and the steering system, is the prospective goal of lubrication research. The energy output of the most promising battery, the Li-ion battery (LIB), must result in driving ranges, which can compete with the 600 km driving range of combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. Consequently, ongoing research activities in cell chemistry, electrode surface engineering, electrolyte engineering, and engine lubrication offer the greatest opportunity in achieving these goals.
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