Shell Lubricants has announced a major advancement in battery electric vehicle (BEV) architecture, confirming that its EV-Plus Thermal Fluid with PurePlus Technology can now cool all electrical components across an entire BEV powertrain using a single-circuit, single-fluid system.
Following the successful development of an immersively-cooled battery pack, Shell – supported by Horiba Mira – has demonstrated that its specialised thermal fluid delivers robust thermal control during high-speed charging and while driving. The ultra-low viscosity fluid performed effectively across extreme simulated conditions, from arctic cold to Saharan heat, paving the way for simplified system design and reduced component count.
“Today’s announcement marks an important milestone in demonstrating that a specialised Shell Thermal Fluid operating in a single circuit can manage the thermal needs of all electrical drive train components. This eagerly anticipated ‘all-in-one’ concept is crucial in supporting both reduced cost and complexity in BEV design and manufacturing for our partners,” said Jason Wong, global executive vice president, Shell Lubricants.
Shell’s proprietary PurePlus Technology uses a 99.5% pure base oil derived from natural gas, enabling direct cell contact and ultra-fast charging from 10% to 80% in under 10 minutes. The same fluid also transfers heat from other components without direct contact.
“Our Shell EV-Plus Thermal Fluid’s ability to entirely replace traditional glycol-based coolants and work with existing hardware is a game-changer,” said Robert Mainwaring, Shell’s lead engineer.
Dr David Bridge of Horiba Mira added, “This is a significant step forward in the journey towards a fully electrified and sustainable transport future.”
