JTEKT Develops Ultra-High-Speed Deep Groove Ball Bearing for EV eAxles, Mass Production Starts in June 2026

JTEKT Corporation announced that it has developed an ultra-high-speed deep groove ball bearing for eAxles used in electric vehicles, with mass production scheduled to begin in June 2026. By optimizing the shape and material of the resin cage, the new product achieves ultra-high-speed rotation of 40,000 r/min, the world’s highest level for deep groove ball bearings used in automotive drive motors, according to JTEKT research as of May 2026. The bearing will contribute to smaller and lighter eAxles, helping extend EV driving range, improve energy efficiency, and expand in-vehicle space. In developing the product, JTEKT applied its model-based development design platform and high-performance evaluation testing method using magnetic bearings, announced on November 25, 2024. As EV adoption grows, demand is rising for longer driving ranges and larger cabin space, making component downsizing and weight reduction essential. Smaller motors can reduce output, so higher motor rotation speeds are needed to compensate. Conventional bearings, however, face wear and seizure risks at high speeds due to centrifugal-force-induced interference between the resin cage and outer ring. JTEKT addressed these issues by optimizing the cage design to reduce centrifugal force during rotation, lowering cage deformation by about 70% compared with conventional products. It also adopted a resin material that maintains required rigidity under high-temperature conditions, preventing wear and deformation and avoiding cage-to-outer-ring interference or seizure even at 40,000 r/min. By combining digital design with ultra-high-speed rotation testing equivalent to eAxle requirements, JTEKT improved consistency between simulation and real-machine testing and achieved reliable commercialization. The new bearing can be applied broadly wherever deep groove ball bearings are used, contributing not only to EV adoption but also to a wide range of industries.