The Rise of Electric Vehicles and Their Impact on the Future of Automotive Lubricants
The trend towards electric vehicles is expected to grow in the next decade as more countries attempt to reduce emissions. The Paris Agreement, along with increased concern for air quality and the diesel emissions scandal, have influenced diesel and fossil fuel restrictions.
The automotive industry is in the midst of a major shift from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs). This transition has led to changes in related industries, such as the automotive oil and lubricants industry.
As the technology and mechanisms of conventional vehicles and modern EVs vary immensely, the need and demand for their support materials have also changed. Therefore, the rising demand for electric vehicles has significantly impacted the future of automotive lubricants.
As some car manufacturers are starting to divest from ICEs (internal combustion engines), this is adding more momentum to the transition towards electric vehicles. Volvo, for example, has announced that it will no longer develop new diesel engines after 2019 – largely because it believes that compliance with carbon emission regulations would be difficult to achieve at a reasonable cost.
With moves like this happening around the world, combined with technology-driven cost and performance improvements, it’s likely that electric vehicles will gain market share from ICE vehicles in the upcoming decade – and at a faster rate than what we’ve seen so far.
Comparing EV fluids with ICE fluids
Lubricants play an important role in electric vehicles (EVs) to avoid premature wear, noise, and vibration that can cause damage to the engine. The optimal fluids must have several properties to ensure efficiency in EVs, which is different than their use in internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. In ICE vehicles, engine oil, transmission fluids, and grease are used to lubricate the engine to reduce friction and protect parts from wear. These lubricants gradually degrade as they get contaminated with combustion gases and need regular replacement.
The right lubricants and fluids in EVs can help to extend the life of the engine by reducing wear and tear. It’s important to use the correct type of lubricant for your EV to avoid any issues that could cause damage or reduce efficiency.
As electric vehicles have various power electronics components, the fluids must ensure the safety of such circuits and must flow easily through various parts with lower viscosity. Additionally, these fluids should also have anti-corrosion properties.
The electric properties of a lubricant can help to mitigate electrical damage in electric vehicles. The thermal properties of a lubricant account for the thermal efficiency of an electric motor. Higher efficiency can be achieved by evaluating optimal levels of thermal conductivity for the application.
Currently, the lubricants available in the market are the ones manufactured for ICE vehicles. These lubricants are not optimal for electric vehicles. Hence, research and development on the advanced lubricants for EVs are essential to achieve complete efficiency. Scientists are focusing on gaining higher resistance to copper corrosion and compatibility with polymers used in hybrid electronics. To create a more efficient electric vehicle, it is essential that we develop better lubricants that can withstand corrosion and work well with the electronic components inside the vehicle.
The coming years will bring a lot of change
Sustainable policies and subsidies have been supporting the growth of the sustainable automotive industry – with electric cars aiming to replace fossil fuel cars by 2035 in the UK.
However, according to Energy Insights, all gasoline and diesel vehicles will be banned by 2040 in France, while all diesel cars and vans will be banned in Athens, Madrid, and Mexico City by 2025.
Even though experts claim that electric and hybrid technologies are still in their earliest stages and require further development, this transition includes lubricants for electric and hybrid vehicles. The need for these types of lubricants has risen sharply, with an increasing number of publications and patents each year.
The limelight is on lubricants
Lubricants are not always given the attention they deserve in the automotive industry, but they play a vital role, especially in electric and hybrid vehicles. There are different types of lubricants available, such as bio-lubricants, nanotube-based lubricants, and mineral oil-based lubricants. All of these options serve a purpose in keeping vehicle parts running smoothly and efficiently.
Electric vehicle lubricants have recently shown a 17% rise in efficiency compared with traditionally used transmission oil. Scientists have focused on advancing these lubricants further by making them more resistant to copper corrosion and compatible with the polymers used in electric hybrids’ electronics. Additionally, they have worked to achieve low viscosity (resistance of a material to flow) and improve the liquids’ electric and thermal properties.
The future of EV in India
Electronic vehicles, or EVs, are starting to become more visible in India as people are beginning to realize how efficient and fun they can be. Even though their growth is currently seen as a market issue – depending on how much they cost or how they perform in comparison to traditional cars – there is still a need for policy inputs from the government in order for them to become more normalized. EVs, after all, operate within larger energy and transportation frameworks that each have their own unique complexities.
Indians are especially conscious of getting their money’s worth – this is why diesel vehicles have always been popular in despite their higher MRP and the fact that they produce more contamination than petrol vehicles. Even with the current high oil prices, running a diesel car costs about Rs 4.8 per kilometre while petrol costs Rs 6.8. CNG is cheaper at Rs 1.94/km but it’s not widely available. The cost of EVs depends on the electricity rate, which can vary greatly, but is much more practical in the long run.
The main obstacle for electric vehicles is the initial investment. They are expensive, mainly due to the battery. Even with an eight-year shelf life and a 12% interest rate, the battery costs alone would need to be rolled over 25,000 km each year to make it feasible. This is possible, but not for everyone. However, when battery costs drop to $100/kWh, as predicted in a few years, EVs can become a viable option.
Electric vehicles (EVs) and the grid can have a symbiotic relationship. EVs can charge when there is excess power, and they have batteries that can store renewable energy. They can also provide backup power for the grid. This is one reason we should create a new power customer class for EVs, one that includes aggressive time-of-day pricing (cheap charging when power is excess). Otherwise, we risk businesses trying to charge EVs on subsidized private power rates.
EVs are designed to be more efficient than traditional gasoline cars – with regenerative braking capturing energy that would otherwise be wasted, and due to the inherent efficiency of electric motors, particularly at low speeds. EVs also produce less pollution, making them ideal for those who want to protect the environment. However, due to the slowdown in the Indian economy, EVs have now become a necessity rather than a luxury. With petrol and diesel prices rising unexpectedly, and pollution levels reaching dangerous levels in cities across the country, EVs offer a ray of hope for a cleaner future.
We hope you enjoyed our blog on electric vehicles and their impact on the future of automotive lubricants. As you can see, the future is looking bright for electric vehicles and their impact on the automotive industry is undeniable. With the right resources, you can be ahead of the curve and ready for this shift when it occurs. And with the help of our blog, we hope you have a better understanding of how the future of automotive lubricants may look a few years down the line! If you have any questions, please contact us anytime at www.philomathresearch.com. Thank you for reading, we hope you enjoy the blog!