Electric Vehicle Tribology: Highlighting Challenges and Opportunities in the Automotive Industry

The automotive industry is rapidly transitioning towards electrification, presenting a a number of new challenges that necessitate innovative solutions. This swift evolution demands collaborative efforts from both industry and academia to address these unique issues effectively. This paper aims to elucidate these challenges primarily from the perspective of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), providing a comprehensive review of existing literature and identifying potential avenues for future research across technology readiness levels (TRLs). The focus of this paper is on the tribological challenges associated with electrified transmissions in electric vehicles (EVs), as these systems will continue to have moving parts relative to each other, making tribology a central concern. By fostering a synergistic approach to research and development, the paper underscores the importance of joint efforts between industry and academia in overcoming the obstacles posed by the electrification of the automotive sector, thereby paving the way for sustainable advancements in this field.