A successful e-mobility conference

By Jack McKenna, STLE President | TLT President's Report December 2024

Leaders in electric vehicle technology gathered to explore technical challenges and opportunities at this popular event.


STLE recently held the 2024 STLE Tribology & Lubrication for E-Mobility Conference, Oct. 22-25, at the Detroit Marriott at The Renaissance Center in Detroit, Mich.. I was only able to attend the last day of the conference, but the enthusiasm was still evident. Panel discussions brought experts to tackle the trends and challenges in developing cutting-edge lubricants for electric vehicles (EVs), and also brought together thought-leaders to explore the essential role of tribology and lubrication in building a sustainable future for electric mobility.

There were 180 attendees who explored the latest technical challenges and commercial opportunities that will impact the future of EV technology. At the Formulation Panel discussion, attendees gained insights into how advanced formulations are enhancing EV performance, component life and sustainability. The Sustainability Panel speakers shared strategies for reducing environmental impact and optimizing resource efficiency in the EV industry. The EV and Sustainability Panel discussion sparked dynamic conversations on the critical role of tribology and lubrication in advancing sustainable electric mobility.

The STLE Executive Committee and E-Mobility Conference Planning Committee are thinking about how to better combine the topics of sustainability and alternative fuel transportation in a future conference. If you have a particular interest in sustainability, be on the lookout for an STLE webinar on this topic in the first quarter of 2025. 

This was the fourth STLE Tribology & Lubrication for E-Mobility Conference, and it has gotten better and better over time. In the attendee survey that was sent out, most rated the overall event as excellent. Business networking and the technical sessions were rated as most important from the conference as well.

As we begin planning for 2025, if you want even more content and information on this topic, the STLE Annual Meeting & Exhibition, May 18-22, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency in Atlanta, Georgia, will have an EV track with many great sessions. Watch for more information at www.stle.org/annualmeeting. Also be on the lookout for a highlight article in the January 2025 TLT with the top takeaways from the STLE Tribology & Lubrication for E-Mobility Conference.

Thank you to all our attendees, speakers, exhibitors and sponsors for your support of the 2024 STLE Tribology & Lubrication for E-Mobility Conference. We hope you found the event to be a valuable experience. Make sure to tell us about your experience at the conference by completing the attendee survey at www.stle.org/Emobility. Your insights and feedback are important to us and will help make improvements to future STLE events.

In closing, happy holidays and happy new year! I encourage you all to take some time to unwind and relax as we wrap up 2024. I hope you had a great 2024 and look forward to an even better 2025.

Jack McKenna is vice president of corporate accounts for Sea-Land Chemical Company located in Cleveland, Ohio, and is based in Elmhurst, Ill. You can reach him at jack.mckenna@sealandchem.com.