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.
Generation 3 builds on the continuous development of Fersa’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 by combining advances in lubrication, coatings, materials, cage architecture and wheel-hub design.
The result is a further 10% improvement in friction reduction compared with Generation 2, reaching a 65% improvement against the baseline solution, while maintaining the durability and reliability required for heavy-duty applications.
A new step in Fuel Efficient technology
Fuel Efficient technology has evolved progressively through three generations.
The first generation was launched in 2024, and focused on reducing internal friction through precision geometry, advanced materials, lubrication and sealing solutions. Its performance was subsequently validated through extensive real-world testing in different vehicles and operating environments.
Generation 2 introduced further optimisation of bearing geometry, lubrication and sealing, responding to increasingly demanding efficiency requirements from vehicle manufacturers.
With Generation 3, Fersa expands this approach through a broader focus on tribology and system-level efficiency.
Among the main developments are advanced coatings on rolling elements, optimised lubricant distribution, redesigned cage architecture, high-strength materials and wheel-hub optimisation. These improvements are designed to further minimise energy losses within the wheel-end system.
“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.
Engineering for future heavy-duty applications
Generation 3 has been developed using Fersa’s internal engineering capabilities, including simulation, manufacturing and laboratory testing.
The company 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, Fersa will initially focus the introduction of Generation 3 on development projects with heavy-duty OEMs, adapting the technology to specific vehicle architectures and technical requirements.
“Vehicle efficiency increasingly depends on optimising 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.”
Fuel Efficient Generation 3 reinforces Fersa’s ongoing investment in the development of more efficient wheel-end solutions and represents the latest stage in the company’s Fuel Efficient technology roadmap.
Fersa will showcase the technology throughout IAA Transportation 2026 at Hall 12, Stand E48.
