Keywords
Citation
Margaroni, D. (1998), "The Budget", Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, Vol. 50 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/ilt.1998.01850caa.001
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 1998, MCB UP Limited
The Budget
The Budget
Keywords:: Automotive industry, Environmental impact, Fuels
On 17 March 1998, the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in his annual budget a number of measures, the intention of which was to discourage "unnecessary journeys" and to promote the development and use of fuel-efficient vehicles. Taxation on all fuels was increased, but the differentials are now more strongly favouring the use of environmentally cleaner fuels.
In spite of these measures to curb vehicle use, the 1998 Lex Report on Motoring Driving for the Future forecasts that the number of cars on UK roads is set to increase by 10 per cent over the next five years, in contrast to the 6 per cent observed during the past five years, although some slowing down is forecast over the next two years.
The changes in vehicle type, design, and numbers, also the move towards "greener" fuels, will undoubtedly have an impact upon the lubricants industry, which is already working on the formulation of even more fuel efficient lubricants, the detailed requirements for which are specified by the latest US (ILSAC) and European (ACEA) specification bodies.
In spite of the recent increase in speculation regarding the use of fuel cell-powered vehicles on a large scale, the likelihood of such potentially lubricant-free electric engines making a significant impact into the stronghold of the conventional IC domain is a long way off. Daimler Benz is developing a Ballard Fuel cell-driven vehicle, and with Ford, under a 1997 agreement, have committed to 100,000 units on the road by 2005, which is a drop in the ocean.
It has been a reflection upon our sense of priorities, however, that in the past interest in alternative fuels has waxed and waned according to the price of oil rather than for environmental reasons.
Oil Recycling Association
At the other end of the market, a new organisation has been established which represents all of the companies in the waste management industry dealing with used oil and oil contaminated waste. However, the Oil Recycling Association (ORA) intends to enable a complete range of services to be provided, covering such items as oil and fuel filters, catalysts, batteries, oily rage, hydraulic and cooling fluids, etc., in addition to the used engine and transmission lubricants. This must provide some degree of relief to those, myself included, who are becoming increasingly concerned over the depletion of a number of natural resources, such as the precious metals used in vehicle exhaust catalyst systems.
David Margaroni