The National Research Council (NRC), founded by congressional charter to provide expert advice on scientific matters, predicts it is possible to have a corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) rating of 74 MPG by 2050 for light-duty vehicles, exceeding the current regulatory goal of 54.5 MPG by 2025. By 2050, the internal combustion engine will have greatly improved efficiency and be fueled by gasoline, natural gas, bio-fuel, or hydrogen. Cars will be lighter, smaller, and cost more but will emit far less greenhouse gases. Estimates are that reduced operating expenses over a vehicle’s lifetime will compensate for its higher initial purchase price.
That’s the future. But today, the 2025 CAFE goal of 54.5 MPG for light-duty vehicles represents a substantial challenge for the industry. Light-duty vehicles are the focus of new fuel economy (FE) regulations, because they account for about half of U.S. crude oil consumption and emit about 17% of the greenhouse gases. Also, the internal combustion engine has lots of potential left for fuel efficiency improvement, as well as the flexibility to run on many liquid and gaseous fuels.
It is generally agreed that, while complicated, time consuming,and expensive, the 2025 CAFE goal is achievable. To meet the 2025 goal, OEMs have requested that the Draft ILSAC GF-6A engine oil specification (API First License date now estimated to be first quarter 2018 ) have significant FE contribution improvement over GF-5 oils.
In past specification upgrades, FE improvements have been made, but not of the magnitude requested for ILSAC GF-6A. A 50% increase in new oil FE is proposed for ILSAC GF-6A, and FE retention out to 10,000 miles with little to no degradation to FE performance. The number one priority of an engine oil is to protect the engine from wear, corrosion, and deposits. Fuel efficiency was added to the ILSAC specifications but balanced with the need for engine durability. While ILSAC is requesting this step change in FE performance, the oil and lubricant additive industries are being asked to develop oils to work in new engine hardware, such as gasoline direct injection. Many of these new engines are turbocharged or supercharged, which increases the demand for engine durability protection.
Lubrizol has taken up the challenge, and we are up to the task. We are involved and, in many cases, leading the efforts to develop the ILSAC GF-6A specification. Our formulators and engineers are formulating engine oil additives that meet demands for improved durability in new engine designs, while at the same time improving the FE contribution from ILSAC GF-6A oils.
