The Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE) has released a new special report examining the evolving performance requirements of gear lubricants used in electric vehicle drivetrains.

Titled Next-Generation Gear Lubricants for Electric Vehicles, the report addresses the challenges associated with high-speed, compact gearboxes operating under demanding loads and elevated temperatures. Among the central issues is balancing energy efficiency with lubricant film strength and wear protection.

Lower-viscosity fluids can help reduce frictional losses and improve drivetrain efficiency, but they also present challenges in maintaining adequate lubrication under demanding operating conditions. Electrical compatibility and the potential effects of stray currents introduce additional considerations for lubricant formulation and testing.

For lubricant manufacturers and additive suppliers, these developments underscore the increasingly specialized performance requirements of electric drivetrain fluids. Although battery-electric vehicles eliminate the need for conventional engine oil, their drivetrains continue to require lubricants engineered for gear protection, durability, and efficiency.

The report also highlights an important distinction for the lubricant industry: the transition toward electric mobility is changing not only the types of lubricants required, but also the performance characteristics that differentiate those products.

STLE is making the report available as a free digital publication.

Source: Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE), October 13, 2026.

Access the STLE report