Towards Improving Fuel Economy through Tribology Testing

Fuel Economy 1970-2016fuel eco

Increasing at an average of 5% annually, most passenger cars must achieve 39 mpg, and light trucks 30 mpg, by 2016.

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Fleet CAFE 1970’s to 2012

 

Passenger Car Growth Statistics

  • Global passenger car sales rose by 7.2% to 66.6 million vehicles in 2012.
  • All regions grew except Western Europe.
  • Double-digit growth rates in North America and the Asia-Pacific region.
  • Demand in South America reached an all-time high.
  • Global passenger car production rose by 6.0% to 70.5 million units in the reporting period.

Energy Losses in a Passenger Car

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  • Only 17%–21% of the energy from the fuel you put in your tank gets used to move your car down the road.
  • Rest of the energy is lost to engine and driveline inefficiencies or used to power accessories.
  • Potential to improve fuel efficiency with advanced technologies is enormous.

The best passenger car engine lubricants are currently about 4-5% more efficient than their early 1990s counterparts as a result of lubricant development.

Visit our products page to find out more about the instruments which play a large role in the development of these and other lubricants.