Prestone will exhibit its Prestone EVX collection of electrified vehicle (EV and hybrid) thermal management fluids that meet newly implemented industry standards at The Battery Show North America, Oct. 6–9 in Detroit, Michigan.

Engineered to help vehicle OEMs address the ever-increasing demands of EV charging time, driving range, safety, and overall performance, Prestone said its EVX formulations offer low conductivity, extended corrosion protection, and excellent chemical stability for light- and heavy-duty EVs. 

Having undergone rigorous real-world testing to ensure low-current levels for safety in high voltage applications, the fluids serve as the next generation of thermal management for electrified transportation, according to Prestone.

Accelerated Standards, Highlight Industry Impact

Prestone’s EVX fluids were industry pioneers in being formulated to meet EV coolant specifications that are currently going into effect in China. Previously expected to take effect in 2026, the GB29743.2 standard will now begin starting October 1, 2025. The standard, which will likely be implemented globally within the next few years, is aimed at enhancing safety in EVs by reducing the electrical conductivity of coolants.

Prestone’s EVX fluids not only meet the requirements for the GB29743.2 standard but also the ASTM D8566 standard – which focuses on low electrical conductivity to minimize potential harm caused by coolant contacting batteries – helping automakers comply with and be prepared for vital requirements now, strengthening the company’s role as a critical partner in the EV supply chain.

“Our technologies are designed not only to meet today’s EV demands but to anticipate tomorrow’s,” said Tom Corrigan, Director of EV and Electrification Technology, Prestone. “With China accelerating its adoption timeline, Prestone is prepared and well-positioned as an innovator and legacy supplier to provide solutions that enable our customers to achieve compliance, maintain performance and address the industry’s biggest challenges.”

Prestone’s EVX solutions offer a range of options to meet a variety of different EV needs and specifications, including:

• Prestone EVX Phosphate-based organic inhibitor technology: A low conductivity phosphate organic acid technology thermal management fluid, delivering exceptional corrosion protection for EVs without relying on silicate, borate, or amine.

• Prestone EVX Silicate-based organic inhibitor technology: A silicate organic inhibitor technology thermal management fluid offering low conductivity and robust corrosion protection, plus enhanced reserve alkalinity for extended lifetime in EVs.

• Prestone EVX Non-Ionic inhibitor technology: A super low conductivity coolant designed specifically for fuel cell vehicles, which have unique requirements for cooling fluids. Custom-engineered by Prestone using high-purity, non-ionic corrosion inhibitors, it ensures compatibility and reliability in next-generation mobility.

Safety Focus with Proprietary Testing

EVs store a large amount of energy and operate at high voltages, ranging from 400 to 1000 volts. Managing this energy safely is critical to prevent short circuits and thermal runaway. To validate the performance of its EVX fluids, Prestone partnered with Exoes, a leading electromobility thermal management testing firm, to create a proprietary test that mimics real-world, high-voltage conditions to replicate extreme operating environments.

During the test, an 800-volt current is passed through fluid coolants. Conventional coolants, like those most commonly used in most North American EVs, combusted in less than one second. By contrast, Prestone EVX fluids maintained low current and prevented combustion entirely, leading to a safer fluid with a lower risk of shorting and thermal runaway.

Supporting Global EV Transition

As a factory-fill supplier of choice and frontrunner in automotive fluid research and development, Prestone currently supplies more than three million gallons per year of its current EV thermal management fluids to global vehicle OEMs. Using its “Products, Production, Protection” process, the company can support customers from formula technology to manufacturing to warranty service. 

The PFX Group as a whole, via its portfolio of brands, produces over one billion liters of industrial and mobility fluids annually, with a presence in more than 100 countries via its 20 production facilities, 14 warehouses, and seven innovation centers.

In addition to the automotive market, Prestone also supports the electrification of other markets such as mining, construction, and agriculture through its heavy-duty focused Prestone Command EVX fluids.

At the Battery Show, Prestone experts will present its full offering of EV-specific thermal management technologies, developed to optimize safety and performance across wide temperature ranges and all types of applications and vehicles.