Discover more in our interview with Rafe Briton, The Lubrication Expert, and David Hall, Chief Technology Officer at Gulf.
Key summary
- Hydrogen and electric vehicles still require lubrication, despite common myths suggesting otherwise.
- Standard oils are not optimised for hydrogen engines, while EVs require specialised fluids for cooling and performance.
- Maintenance is still essential for both technologies, making the right lubricant choice critical for efficiency and longevity.
As the logistics industry shifts towards EVs and alternative technologies, many fleet managers are under pressure to also transition. However, fleet managers may underestimate the complexity of switching fleet vehicles. The success of a smooth transition to an EV fleet starts from understanding operations, lubrication and maintenance changes.
We’ll help you prepare for the transition with tips on lubrication and pitfalls to avoid.
Taking a step-by-step approach to transition
If you’re considering switching to an electric fleet, avoid rushing into full electrification too soon. You can gradually adopt EVs by testing out different vehicle types or trying pilot programmes first before investing in an entirely new EV fleet. This can reduce the risk of choosing the wrong vehicles and gives you the chance to learn before scaling your operation.
Understanding fleet requirements to avoid early mistakes
A common mistake fleet managers often make is treating EVs as a direct replacement for internal combustion engine vehicles. You really need to know your vehicles and your operations before making the switch, and carefully consider the following:
- Range limitations
- Charging infrastructure
- Payload capacity
In addition, you should also consider duty cycle analysis to better understand your routes, usage patterns and energy needs and work out if an EV fleet will be suitable for you.
Infrastructure & training considerations
When considering the switch to an electric fleet, you need to carefully plan your charging strategy. This includes:
- Where energy comes from
- Charging schedules
This may involve having charging points installed on your main site and also planning routes around where drivers can stop and charge their vehicles.
You also need to consider training drivers on how to charge their vehicles and adopting more efficient driving habits to extend charging intervals. In addition, maintenance teams will need to be trained on new systems and fluids. So, the transition will be both technical and behavioural.
Extending fluid life in EVs
Just like you’ll be keen to extend drain intervals of ICE vehicles, the same is true for EVs. This involves key maintenance practices and improved driver behaviour, including:
- Following OEM servicing recommendations
- Maintaining vehicles correctly
- Smooth acceleration while driving
- Reducing thermal stress while driving
Driving style still has a big impact on fluid and component longevity, so it’s important that your drivers adopt efficient driving techniques.
Monitoring EV fluids: What to look for
EV fluids are less visible and not as well understood as traditional engine oils. By working with a lubrication partner and introducing oil condition monitoring, you can analyse fluid health and detect early warning signs before they become larger problems.
By adopting a preventative maintenance schedule, you can reduce unplanned downtime and potentially costly repairs.
The future of fleet maintenance
Fleet maintenance is shifting from reactive servicing to predictive, data-driven approaches. Tools like oil condition monitoring, combined with AI and IoT technologies, enable early issue detection and more efficient maintenance planning. This allows fleet operators to reduce downtime, optimise performance, and extend vehicle lifespan.
Plan, monitor, optimise
Transitioning to an EV fleet requires planning, not just investment. Electric fleets still require lubrication and maintenance expertise to run efficiently, so the best thing you can do before making the switch is learn. Success lies in understanding your operations, using the right fluids, and leveraging monitoring technologies for efficiency and longevity.