‘Our hydrocarbon-based fluid is dielectric, so… it can come into direct contact with all the electrical parts without causing short cuts, and can therefore cool the motor more efficiently’
Florian Glattes, vice president for e-mobility solutions at Shell
Efficiency is more than just a buzzword in the ABB FIA Formula E world championship, and in that context it’s more than just a word associated with the fundamental powertrain components such as motors, inverters and coils.
Transmission efficiency is just as vital in the now decade old EV series as it is in motors and inverters. With efficiency now in the 95 per cent range, the gearbox is one crucial area where teams can still make strong gains in the new Gen3-spec Formula E era.
Single or twin-speed transmissions have been the predominant design of choice for several seasons now, with development targets focusing on reducing weight and parasitic losses.
This is where lubricants play a key role, with providers such as Shell partnering with teams such as Nissan and Mahindra in recent seasons to deliver solutions aimed at reducing friction and enhancing reliability in the increasingly complex and potent packages.
In 2019, Shell launched its E-Fluid range with lubricants designed for different components of
