Lubricant Groups Sought Emissions Savings Recognition
European industry associations have called for revised methodologies to credit efficiency gains in legacy fleets.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Electric Vehicles
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Industry bodies ATIEL and UEIL have published a position paper arguing for the recognition of emissions savings from high-performance lubricants. The groups seek to address gaps in current frameworks that overlook decarbonization in existing operating vehicle fleets.
Why it matters
Current emissions guidance excludes efficiency gains in fossil-based systems, categorizing them as merely transitional. The associations argue this ignores measurable, immediate decarbonization potential available in the millions of vehicles already on the road.
Friction-related energy losses currently represent 20% to 30% of global primary energy demand. Tribological improvements could reduce this energy loss by 30% to 40% under specific operational conditions.
The players
ATIEL
This is a European trade association that represents the interests of companies involved in the development and marketing of lubricants.
UEIL
This organization represents the European lubricants industry, specifically focusing on independent manufacturers and small to medium-sized enterprises.
WBCSD
The World Business Council for Sustainable Development is a global CEO-led organization that promotes sustainable business practices and frameworks.
The details
The groups are challenging the WBCSD's version 2.0 avoided emissions guidance, which requires solutions to pass strict gates that currently favor new technologies over efficiency upgrades. By utilizing the concept of a handprint—which includes benefits like longer equipment life and extended service intervals—the associations aim to prove that upgrading existing systems is a viable path to immediate climate goals.
Timeline
July 2025: The WBCSD published version 2.0 of its avoided emissions guidance.
15 September 2026: ATIEL and UEIL released their position paper on emissions methodologies.
Roadmap
The lubricant industry is pushing back against a trend that prioritizes only electric vehicle adoption over systemic efficiency improvements in combustion engines. By advocating for credit in legacy systems, these firms aim to secure a role for high-performance chemistry in the global energy transition.
If adopted, these methodologies could encourage vehicle owners to utilize high-performance lubricants that extend equipment life and improve efficiency. This shift may help drivers lower total operational costs by reducing wear and extending service intervals in existing vehicles.
The takeaway
The debate over avoided emissions highlights the tension between focusing strictly on new technology and optimizing the performance of existing assets. For the automotive sector, this suggests that small improvements in lubrication technology can provide substantial aggregate benefits for global energy consumption.
Further reading
Learn more about the evolving standards in Electric Vehicles.
Source note: This article includes information reported by F&L Asia.
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