Research and operational challenges of electric vehicles gear oils

This paper presents a unique test bench designed to replicate the operation of a gearbox in an electric vehicle drive unit, its structural design, and research capabilities. Six commercially available gear oils were subjected to controlled degradation (aging) processes under bench test conditions reproducing typical operating environments of an electric vehicle gearbox. Oil degradation was assessed based on changes in physicochemical properties and chemical structure, analysed using FTIR spectroscopy. For comparison, FTIR was also applied to evaluate chemical changes caused by oxidation in a thermal oxidation stability test. The results confirm the testing and research value of the innovative test bench as a tool for conducting programmed, monitored degradation processes of gear oils used in automotive drive unit gearboxes.