The study, conducted by engineering and environmental consultancy Ricardo, calculated direct and indirect contributions that lubricants make to CO₂ emissions reductions. It defined direct contributions as those stemming from fuel economy gains enabled by lubricants. Indirect contributions were defined as those stemming from changes in engine design – such as installation of emissions control technologies or reductions in engine size – that lubricants enable.

The consultancy estimated that the resulting cost savings from direct and lube-enabled improvements to vehicle efficiency could result in average annual cost savings per vehicle reaching 37 to 67 (U.S. $42 to $76) per year for passenger cars and 720 to 1,282 per year for heavy trucks by 2020.

Our industry continues to invest significantly in further research in this area in order that we can help drive and shape its transition into a competitive low-carbon economy, ATIEL President Marco Digioia said in the news release.

For its study, Ricardo used its own modeling of impacts from engine design changes, combined with a database of European engines and vehicles.

ATIEL noted in its news release that by lowering engine friction, lubricants reduce the amount of energy required to move a vehicle, thus cutting the amount of fuel that needs to be burned, thereby leading to fewer CO₂ emissions.

Ricardo estimated that compared to technology in use in 2005, lubricant advances will directly reduce CO₂ emissions by an equivalent of 1.2 to 3.9 million metric tons per year by 2020. By 2030, it estimated, that number should increase by 0.9 to 2.7 t/y.

Indirect reductions in CO₂ emissions should reach 17.8 to 33.4 t/y by 2020 and increase an additional 6 to 9 t/y by 2030, the firm estimated.