FUCHS BluEV is a new all-in-one product line that includes lubricants, thermofluids, and specialty fluids for the mobility of the future. The success of the product launch in Shanghai underlines the gap in this booming market, which was clearly waiting for products of this kind.
A brief irritation, nothing more: this is how the worldwide e-mobility market reacted to the turbulence of recent months. In China, the most important market for electric vehicles, the next boom has already been in full swing since the summer. According to McKinsey&Company, the market share of electric vehicles in both China and Europe is likely to be even higher at the end of 2020 than originally anticipated before onset of the coronavirus crisis. In this growth market, there is a great need for lubricants that have been adapted specifically for use with the respective products. FUCHS is reacting to this development with a new product line: FUCHS BluEV. Presentation of the portfolio in Shanghai clearly came at the right time and in the right location.
Why e-mobility is once again booming in China
Gary Hooper, who is responsible for the e-mobility activities of FUCHS China and has been working in the country for 18 years, rates the future prospects of the e-mobility market as very positive, particularly in the leading market of China: "The entire automotive industry is booming in China, also in the segment that China calls 'new energy vehicles' or NEVs." The manufacturers of these NEVs are investing heavily. "In fact, the joint ventures of Volkswagen alone are channeling some €17 billion of funding into electrification in China. Guangzhou Automotive has even invested around €38.5 billion in NEVs," as Hooper reports, adding: "There is also another reason for the current boom, as the perception of electric mobility has changed dramatically with the rise of Tesla. There is a lot of hype around this brand." This is clearly the massive driving force here, not least since local production of the vehicles got under way in China and prices therefore started to come down. All manufacturers are benefiting from this. "Demand for fully electric cars is currently very high. The ID.4 from Volkswagen and the EQ range from Mercedes Benz will also contribute to this." Fears regarding a lack of adequate range have also seemingly disappeared altogether, largely thanks to use of improved batteries and an expanded charging station infrastructure.
Although new state subsidy programs are certainly contributing to the recent boom in China, the growth observed is not dependent on these. "Even vehicles costing more than 300,000 Renminbi, which translates to around €38,500, are selling in impressive numbers. This is pretty remarkable, as no subsidies are actually offered above this cut-off point," comments Hooper. So could China be described as a market in which lubricant producers need to be present if they do not wish to miss out on the business of the future? "Yes," replies Hooper, "and this is why we arranged for the launch of FUCHS BluEV to be here, before rolling out the product line gradually worldwide.“
Presence in the world's most important market
China is the largest market for electric cars, so all the important international market players are represented here. Chinese vehicle manufacturers, including BYD itself, are at the top of the bestseller lists, while new players such as the Shanghai-based electric vehicle start-up NIO are impressing with technological innovations, including battery changes in just three minutes. In light of all this information, the decision to present FUCHS BluEV in this market seems perfectly logical. The "Future Mobility China Technology Forum", organized by FUCHS and held on September 4, 2020 in Shanghai, welcomed 160 visitors from the industry and many more participants on its online visitor platform.
The key players from the NEV industry got together in Shanghai for the launch of FUCHS BluEV at the "Future Mobility China Technology Forum". Those in attendance were welcomed by Zhu Qingping, Chief Executive Officer at FUCHS China.
E-mobility is placing new demands on lubricants
The need for new lubricants that cater to the growing e-mobility trend is evident. When used in NEV applications, transmission oils, coolants, and greases all come into contact with electrical modules, sensors, and circuits, as well as being exposed to both electrical energy and electromagnetic fields. "They must therefore be adapted accordingly," explains Jörg Wehrle, Vice President Global Product Management Strategy at FUCHS. In addition to this, the motors, batteries, and other propulsion components used in electric vehicles emit a lot of heat, which needs to be dissipated. "Effective cooling concepts are therefore set to become increasingly important," adds Wehrle. Electric motors are also being operated at ever faster speeds as a way of increasing efficiency. Accordingly, new reduction transmissions with higher drive speeds and fewer gear ratios are being developed to cater to this. "These reduction transmissions are also being used in combination with electric modules, so the gear oil they use must be compatible with the selected module materials. This is a major challenge for the developers of lubricants," according to Wehrle.
Consistent: one product line to cover everything
FUCHS BluEV has been specially designed to meet these requirements and covers all areas of application: from lubrication, through thermal management, all the way up to various special products such as corrosion protection coatings. "We are the only provider that offers an all-in-one platform for e-mobility that is developed in-house," explains Gary Hooper.
Why is that the case? Jörg Wehrle puts this down to the company's vast experience and longstanding development partnerships with the automotive sector: "We have been developing lubricants for more than 90 years and have extensive expertise in the areas of engineering, production, and service." As such, FUCHS is globally active and works closely with the largest manufacturers and suppliers worldwide. "We make our extensive automotive expertise available globally. This approach actually helps us grow our expertise. The fact that we focus exclusively on lubrication and specialty fluids makes us the specialists in the industry." Keeping in mind the question as to how maximum efficiency can be achieved with e-mobility solutions led to a product line that covers all aspects of this technology. "This was the consistent and logical conclusion," comments Wehrle.
Genuine need in the market
According to Gary Hooper, the many concrete project discussions that have taken place with FUCHS China as a result of the "Future Mobility China Technology Forum" indicate that there is a great need for a platform of this kind in the market. "We are getting a lot of feedback and received many questions relating to our products during the event itself – not just from local manufacturers, but also international OEMs." Meetings have already been held with Volkswagen China and other large, international companies to provide more detailed information on this. FUCHS is also in discussion with an international joint venture with a view to supplying specialty fluids for quick charging stations. Specific areas of application can then quickly become tangible projects.
Opinions from the "Future Mobility China Technology Forum" in Shanghai
