From High-Speed EV Bearings to Hydrogen Mobility: NBC’s Vision at BMGE 2025
In an insightful interview with Lokesh Agrawal, CTO – R&D, NBC, Rajesh Rajgor explored the company’s innovative bearing solutions across commercial vehicles and electric vehicles. Agrawal discussed NBC’s focus on tailored, customer-specific products, advancements in sensorised bearings, and sustainability initiatives. He also highlighted the company’s R&D-driven approach to solving industry challenges, including the future of hydrogen-powered vehicles.
At the recently concluded Bharat Mobility Global Expo, Lokesh Agrawal, Chief Technology Officer – R&D at NBC, showcased the company’s innovative bearing solutions, emphasizing their commitment to customer-specific products across diverse segments, including commercial vehicles and electric vehicles (EVs). Agrawal highlighted NBC’s collaborative approach, working closely with customers to address unique challenges and provide tailored solutions.
NBC presented several cutting-edge products, such as their preset solution for commercial vehicles and high-speed bearings for EVs that can perform at up to three times the speed of standard bearings. Agrawal also discussed the company’s focus on data-enabled bearing technologies, with advancements in sensorisation and prognostic capabilities aimed at enhancing motor synchronization and predictive maintenance.
“As we work with customers, we focus on delivering solutions that meet their specific needs,” Agrawal explained. He elaborated on how commercial vehicles demand bearings with longer life, less maintenance, and extended service intervals. NBC’s ConMet solution, which offers up to three times the durability of conventional bearings, was one of the key highlights. This solution is designed to optimize space and performance through advanced heat treatment and coating technologies, addressing the increasing demand for efficient and durable components.
Agrawal pointed out that the company’s research and development efforts are driven by the need for highly customized bearings. “Every bearing we produce is tailored to its application, ensuring optimal performance,” he stated. This customization includes specialized coatings for EVs, which offer electrical insulation, and oil-impregnated ball cage assemblies for two-wheelers, designed to operate in harsh environments and extend product life.
NBC’s R&D department plays a pivotal role in differentiating the company from competitors. “We work with customers from the drawing board to determine the right bearing size and configuration. Our application engineering and product design teams collaborate closely with customer engineers to ensure the best solution,” Agrawal explained. This customer-centric approach, coupled with NBC’s ability to modify bearing configurations, allows the company to provide comprehensive solutions for a wide range of applications.
Agrawal also touched on the importance of sustainability in the industry, detailing NBC’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives. “We are working on reducing friction in bearings and optimizing materials, such as polyamide cages and environmentally friendly greases, to reduce the environmental footprint,” he said. NBC’s emphasis on sustainability extends to the use of recyclable materials and the continuous improvement of bearing efficiency, ensuring a lower environmental impact.
Looking to the future, Agrawal shared NBC’s focus on emerging technologies like hydrogen-powered vehicles. “We are researching bearing solutions for hydrogen environments, as we expect this technology to become more prevalent in the next five to ten years,” he stated, underscoring the company’s forward-thinking approach to evolving industry needs.
NBC’s participation in the event allowed the company to engage in meaningful conversations with stakeholders, aiming to provide the right solutions for each application. Agrawal concluded, “We want visitors to engage with us, not just look at the products. Through conversation, we can deliver the right solutions.”
Overall, NBC’s presence at the show underscored its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and customer collaboration, positioning the company as a leader in the bearing technology sector.