Towards a More Sustainable World with Improved Vehicle Lubricant Efficiency
The continued trend of reduced carbon emissions and increased focus on sustainability affects developments throughout the transportation sector. While the introduction of electric vehicles (EVs) leads the headlines, topics of efficiency and sustainability apply broadly in the automotive market. Improved efficiency is directly linked to reduced carbon emissions. The cost of efficiency gains varies by application, but high performing lubricants provide some of the most accessible improvements at lowest cost. While many factors affect the efficiency of lubricated systems, reducing the viscosity at operating temperatures is the primary option. Minimizing the viscosity while ensuring the durability of equipment requires balancing the changes in viscosity with temperature, and this is best achieved using viscosity index improvers. Trends in passenger car and commercial vehicle engine oils towards reduced viscosities leave room for further improvements in operating efficiency. Changing operating conditions in hybrid electric vehicles reduce the temperatures seen by the engine oils and increase the benefits of high viscosity index fluids. While the shift to reduced viscosities has mostly run its course in automatic and manual transmission fluids, axle fluids and new concepts for electrified driveline systems provide many opportunities for greater efficiencies. In EVs, better transmission efficiencies not only reduce emissions but also directly increase vehicle range.
Beyond improved operating efficiency, the sustainability of lubricants is becoming increasingly relevant. Formulating with sustainable components and increasing the oil drain interval or designing fill for life solutions requires robust products that can withstand the demands of modern vehicles, including long shear stability and resistance to oxidation.
The presentation provides an overview of latest additive technological developments and describes how these technologies can help lubricant formulators and OEMs help achieve their efficiency and sustainability targets now and in the future.
