Fersa unveils third-gen Fuel Efficient wheel-end

Fersa has unveiled Fuel Efficient Generation 3, the latest evolution of its low-friction wheel-end technology for heavy-duty vehicles, during IAA Transportation Press Day in Hannover, Germany.

Generation 3 of Fersa’s low-friction wheel-end technology takes a broader focus on tribology and system-level efficiency. (Photo: Fersa)

Generation 3 builds on the continuous development of the company’s Fuel Efficient technology, first launched to reduce friction losses at the wheel end and improve vehicle efficiency. The new generation takes the concept further through a broader focus on tribology and system-level efficiency.

Among the main developments are advanced coatings on rolling elements, optimized lubricant distribution, redesigned cage architecture, high-strength materials and wheel-hub optimization. These improvements are designed to further minimize energy losses within the wheel-end system. The result, said Fersa, is a further 10% improvement in friction reduction compared with Generation 2, reaching a 65% improvement against the baseline solution.

“With Generation 3, we are taking another step in the evolution of Fuel Efficient technology. We are combining developments across lubrication, surfaces, materials and component design to continue reducing friction while maintaining the performance required in heavy-duty applications,” said Sergio Santo Domingo, chief engineering officer at Fersa.

Generation 3 was developed using the company’s internal engineering capabilities, including simulation, manufacturing and laboratory testing. Fersa can reproduce wheel-bearing VECTO test cycles internally, while external certification by an approved third party remains a subsequent stage of the validation process.

Following its unveiling at IAA Transportation, the company said it will initially focus the Generation 3 on development projects with heavy-duty OEMs, adapting the technology to specific vehicle architectures and technical requirements.

“Vehicle efficiency increasingly depends on optimizing every system and every component,” said Markus Schneider, global head of Automotive OEM at Fersa. “Generation 3 gives us a new technology platform that we can develop together with vehicle manufacturers according to the requirements of their future applications.”