Most „electrified“ vehicles still use motor oil

The auto industry is changing, but not the Dealer opportunity.

Matt Erickson | DIRECTOR, TECHNICAL PRODUCT MANAGEMENT

Does do term „electrification“ make you fear for the future of the internal combustion engine and your Dealership?

As we explained in the April 2018 AMSOIL Magazine and again at the 45th Anniversary Convention last summer, it shouldn’t.

The truth about vehicle electrification is far different than some headlines lead you to believe. Let’s use Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA)* as an example. FCA grabbed headlines last summer when it pledged $10,5 billion to electrifying its vehicle lineup, including Jeep* and RAM*. The story made news for a couple reasons. 1) Judging by the glut of headlines in my inbox, media outlets love any story about vehicle electrification and 2) FCA is considered a laggard on vehicle electrification compared to its competitors. Its announcement signals that even the holdouts have acknowledged that the future of the auto industry includes electrification.

Constantly seeing stories in your newsfeed about automakers pouring money into electrification can understandably make you nervous. Who’s going to buy the products you sell?

But you can relax. If there is one point you take from this column, make it this:

„Electric“ and „Electrified“are Vastly  Different

Notice that FCA (and other automakers) are moving toward electrification, which simply refers to vehicles that have an electric motor somewhere in the drivetrain. This includes several different hybrid vehicles, including the following:

• Micro hybrid – Vehicles with stop-start technology, like the Ford* F-150*
• Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle (MHEV) – The electric motor cannot propel the vehicle alone; it’s mainly used for engine start, regenerative braking and acceleration assist.
• Full Hybrid Electric Vehicle (FHEV) – The electric motor alone can propel the vehicle, but has a limited range. See the Toyota* Prius*.
• Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) – Same as a FHEV, but adds a second way of charging the battery. Uses an engine due to limited electric-motor range. See the Ford C-MAX Energi*.

All four of these hybrid vehicle types use an internal combustion engine and require motor oil.

Here’s where the confusion arises: the following electric vehicles are also included under the broad category of „electrified“ vehicles:

• Range Extender Electric Vehicle (REEV) – A battery electric vehicle that includes an internal combustion engine-driven generator to charge the batteries. See the Chevy* Volt*.
• Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) – Propelled only by battery-powered electric motors, like the Nissan* Leaf*.
• Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) – Uses an electric motor, but stores energy in a hydrogen tank instead of batteries. See the Honda* Clarity*.

Although common sense suggests that a Nissan Leaf is drastically different than a pickup truck whose engine shuts off at stoplights, the auto industry says otherwise. So, when an automaker announces its plans to introduce electrified vehicles, many people falsely assume they’re referring only to electric vehicles that don’t use an internal combustion engine. Some media outlets contribute to the confusion by interchanging „electrified“ and “electric.” The fact is, however, the push toward electrification includes widespread use of drivetrain systems that still use a conventional engine. Take, for example, the 2019 RAM pickup with eTorque and a 48-volt mild hybrid system. The system replaces the engine’s alternator with a belt-driven motor/generator that contributes torque, smooths shifts and recovers energy, where it’s stored in a lithium-ion battery. This application of electrification increases fuel economy about 2-3 mpg for the 3,6L engine;  the 5,7L Hemi engine and its classic rumble still remain available.

Yes, electrification is here – and it will only grow in the ensuing years. But it’s not as scary as the headlines may have you believe. Most vehicles will still require motor oil and other lubricants. In fact, an estimated 92 percent of vehicles on the road worldwide in 2030 will still use an internal combustion engine. These new drivetrain technologies will present challenges to lubricants best addressed by high performance synthetics; the lubricant market is headed our way.