E-Axle Filters Target Electric Commercial Vehicle Oil Circuits

Electric commercial vehicle e-axles combine electric motors, power electronics and transmissions, creating filtration requirements across multiple oil circuits. New filter elements developed by MANN+HUMMEL address these requirements in the Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 and extend components already used in original equipment production to the independent aftermarket.

E-Axle Filtration for Electric Trucks
The HU 6035 x and HU 7052 x filter elements are designed for the cooling and lubrication circuits of the e-axle used in the Mercedes-Benz eActros 600. The filtration system must handle different oil functions within the integrated electric drivetrain while controlling particles generated during operation.

Different oils perform separate thermal and mechanical functions within the e-axle. One circuit provides transmission lubrication and cooling, while another primarily removes heat from the electric motor and power electronics. Maintaining oil cleanliness is therefore relevant both to mechanical lubrication and to thermal management.

Two HU 7052 x filter elements are installed in the eActros 600 to filter oil associated with the electric motor and power electronics. They remove particles, wear debris and oil-aging residues that could otherwise circulate through the cooling and lubrication system.

Bypass Valve Maintains Oil Flow
The HU 7052 x incorporates a bypass valve designed to maintain oil circulation when resistance across the filter becomes excessive.

If the filter element becomes blocked, the valve opens and allows oil to bypass the filtration medium so that lubrication and heat transfer can continue. The same mechanism is relevant during cold starts, when increased oil viscosity makes flow through the filter medium more difficult.

According to MANN+HUMMEL, the valve is calibrated to open only when required and for the period necessary to maintain oil supply. This limits the amount of unfiltered oil circulating through the system while protecting components against insufficient lubrication.

For commercial vehicles operating over long duty cycles, maintaining oil flow is particularly important because interruption of lubrication or thermal management can affect e-axle availability.

Transmission Filtration Controls Metallic Wear Particles
The transmission section presents a different filtration challenge. Contact forces at the gear tooth flanks can generate metallic wear particles, which must be removed from the oil to limit continued abrasive wear.

The HU 6035 x is designed specifically for this transmission oil circuit. Its function is comparable to transmission filtration in combustion-engine drivetrains, but its construction and filter medium are adapted to the operating conditions of an electric axle.

MANN+HUMMEL has designed the element without metal components, allowing the filter to be handled through material recycling processes after use.

Synthetic Medium Reduces Differential Pressure
Both filter types use the MULTIGRADE O-eM 50 fully synthetic filter medium developed for e-axle oil filtration.

According to MANN+HUMMEL, the synthetic structure produces lower pressure losses than conventional cellulose filter media, particularly at low temperatures. Lower differential pressure across the element reduces the conditions under which the bypass valve needs to open.

As a result, a larger proportion of the circulating oil can continue passing through the filter medium before reaching lubrication points. Reduced hydraulic resistance can also lower the pumping energy required to circulate oil through the e-axle system.

The medium is designed to withstand chemical exposure over the specified service life and resist embrittlement. It also retains its structure and filtration function following water ingress, supporting the longer service intervals specified for commercial vehicle drivetrains.

Particle Separation Reaches 99.5 Percent at 50 Micrometres
The filter medium achieves a stated separation efficiency of 99.5% for particles measuring 50 µm.

This specification is particularly relevant in transmission applications, where metallic particles generated at gear interfaces can continue circulating with the oil and contribute to abrasive wear if they are not removed.

The combination of particle separation, low differential pressure and resistance to oil, temperature changes and water exposure is intended to address the operating conditions found in integrated electric drive systems.

Independent Aftermarket Access to OE-Derived E-Axle Filters
MANN+HUMMEL developed the filters for original equipment applications and is producing them in series. Their introduction under the MANN-FILTER brand makes the same filter types available to independent workshops and fleet maintenance operations servicing the eActros 600.

This is relevant as electric commercial vehicles enter longer service periods and maintenance requirements increasingly extend beyond manufacturer service networks. Unlike conventional engine oil filtration, e-axle maintenance involves filtration systems supporting electric motor cooling, power electronics thermal management and transmission lubrication within an integrated drivetrain.

The filters will make their first trade-show appearance at Automechanika Frankfurt, taking place from 8 to 12 September 2026 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. MANN-FILTER will exhibit the e-axle filtration products at Stand D55 in Hall 3.0.

Edited by Sucithra Mani, Induportals editor – adapted by AI.

www.mann-hummel.com