The Invisible Spine

India's thermal management industry is at the cusp of transformation, both technologically and geopolitically, writes Ashish Bhatia.

- Ashish Bhatia

With the world's attention shifting to sustainable mobility and cleaner energy, it is well known that effective thermal management has become non-negotiable. Be it Internal Combustion Engines (ICE), hybrid systems, or Electric Vehicles (EVs), optimal thermal regulation is the invisible spine of vehicular performance, longevity, and safety.

Adding complexity is the recent development in global trade dynamics, particularly the United States' partial rollback of tariffs on Chinese EV imports to 30 per cent as part of bilateral recalibration. This has reignited India's concerns of becoming a dumping ground for Chinese EV components and thermal systems. In response, India is actively reviewing safeguard duties and trade barriers to maintain its emerging stature as a preferred alternative manufacturing base in the Indo-Pacific.

Thermal efficiency starts with lubricants. In India, where a mix of climate conditions challenges vehicle durability, viscosity remains the most critical metric. Lubricant viscosity determines flow characteristics under temperature variations. Additives, making up 0.1-30 per cent of the oil volume, enhance these base oils by suppressing oxidation, improving thermal stability, and neutralising contaminants.

With the transition to BSVI norms and higher thermal loads in EVs and hybrids, India's lubricant landscape is witnessing a demand shift. Additives that function as sacrificial agents, attracting water, dirt, and other contaminants, are being tuned to suit not just ICE but also high-performance electric drivetrains. Blenders like Gulf Oil, Castrol, and Indian Oil are pushing innovations around additive packages customised for India’s urban-stop-go and rural-long-haul duality.

India's Cooling Industry