A prospective view on biodegradable lubricants for hybrid and electric vehicles

Abstract

The most suggestive outlining between the vehicles powered by the electric motor (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) consists in the battery power supplied to the electric motor and unilaterally fulfilling the traction characteristic, while HEVs can only minimize dependence on fossil fuels. The main difference between electric motors and combustion engines in terms of emissions, carbon footprint, and sustainability is that electric motors eliminate the possibility of contamination of oil by soot. In addition, global insights about current Hybrid and EV lubrication involves new specialized lubricants to overcome challenges of electrical compatibility and the short persistence in the environment - known as biodegradability. Biogenic or recycled lubricants have fallen under the incidence of a very high cost for the automotive industry, in contrast to achieving tough performance and efficiency. Nowadays, eco-sustainability proposes future improvement trends. Lubricants from vegetable and animal sources are relevant, coupled with the numerous possibilities of formulating lubricants from sustainable raw materials or the emergence of stable esters from vegetable oil. Renewable lubricants currently have other applications, such as transmission and engine oils in agricultural technologies or construction machinery. Furthermore, in terms of HEV and EV requirements, it is developed an environment that encourages smart technical applications, and which will increase the possibility that alternatives to crude oil can be develop.