Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) and the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen joint research and testing in automotive lubricants, thermal-management fluids, fuels and additives. The collaboration brings together ARAI’s testing and validation capabilities with BPCL’s expertise in lubrication and energy technologies.
For the automotive and gear manufacturing ecosystem, a key area of the partnership is the development of advanced lubricants and specialised fluids for increasingly compact and highly integrated vehicle drivetrains. As electric powertrains combine motors, reduction gears, inverters and other components within smaller packages, lubricants are being required to deliver both thermal-management and lubrication performance.
The partnership will explore advanced cooling and lubrication technologies for electric vehicles, including specialised e-fluids and dielectric fluids. These fluids can support heat removal from components operating under high thermal loads, while application-specific formulations can also provide lubrication for high-speed gears and other drivetrain components.
The need for improved thermal performance is becoming more significant as EV charging speeds increase and electric drive units operate at higher power densities. In integrated e-axles and reduction gear systems, the lubricant must maintain appropriate viscosity, provide wear protection and manage heat generated by gears and electrical components.
For conventional powertrains, the collaboration will also cover advanced low-viscosity lubricants aimed at reducing friction and improving efficiency. However, the development of lower-viscosity formulations requires validation of wear protection, durability and performance under different operating conditions.
The MoU also includes research into next-generation fuels and additives. With India’s transition towards higher ethanol-blended petrol, fuel compatibility and the durability of engine and associated materials remain important areas for testing and validation.
ARAI has previously undertaken testing related to the transition from lower ethanol blends to E20 fuel, covering parameters including vehicle performance, durability, startability and driveability. The new collaboration provides a platform for further work on fuel formulations and additives alongside developments in automotive fluid technologies.
The partnership reflects the changing requirements of automotive lubrication, where fluids are increasingly expected to perform multiple functions beyond conventional lubrication. For gear and powertrain applications, this includes supporting higher operating speeds, improved efficiency, thermal control and durability across both internal-combustion and electric drivetrains.
Through the collaboration, BPCL and ARAI will undertake joint research, development and testing aimed at advancing fluid technologies for India’s evolving automotive sector.
