Two-Wheeler Transition: A Global Look at the Dynamics Reshaping the Motorcycle Lubricant Market
Trends toward CO2 reduction and sustainability have affected every segment of transportation. That includes conventional motorcycle platforms, which have been particularly impacted by economic, demographic, and legislative factors in markets where they are vital to everyday mobility.
What’s changing exactly? For starters, India (Bharat Stage VI Part II standards expected in April), Brazil (PROMOT M5 standards launched in January), Europe & Japan (Euro 5 launched in 2020), China (rapid electrification), and other key regions are making waves with aggressive new policies aimed at culling greenhouse gasses. In turn, motorcycle lubricants for gasoline internal combustion engines (ICE) are up against challenging new demands, including considerations for catalyst compatibility, more severe operating conditions, and flexible fuel.
Simultaneously, the trends are also behind OEM investigations into alternative power sources such as fuel cell electric (H2FCEV), Hydrogen ICE, Hybrid, and Natural Gas (CNG), while the adoption of battery electric two-wheelers keeps increasing.
So, where is the global two-wheeler market headed? Will gasoline-powered ICE technology continue to dominate? Could any alternate technologies (H2ICE, H2FCEV, Hybrid, CNG or BEV) become the preferred propulsion type for OEMs? Do end-user demands play a role in how one region may prioritize one technology over the other?
In this session, Lubrizol will try to answer all these questions and more, covering the region-specific trends driving changes in the motorcycle lubricant market. As part of the presentation, we will share our views on various alternative propulsion options, and highlight the pros and cons of each.
