E-Mail SAN ANTONIO -- April 14, 2021 -- As electrified and hybrid vehicles become increasingly common on roads and highways around the world, Southwest Research Institute is launching a new industry consortium, Advanced Fluids for Electrified Vehicles (AFEV), to expand the industry's understanding of the stressors placed on electric vehicle fluids, or "e-fluids." Original equipment manufacturers, lubricant manufacturers and suppliers are invited to join the consortium, which kicks off May 18, aimed at moving electric vehicle powertrain advancements forward. "Having the best lubricant for an application can allow for significant advancements in hardware technology for the future," said Peter Morgan, a program manager in the Powertrain Engineering Division. "However, the wrong lubricant can result in very expensive design decisions. As electrified vehicles continue to diverge from conventional internal combustion style powertrains, lubricant requirements will also change. To optimize the system as a whole, we need to know more about the lubricants' role."