Mike Bewsey, Chairman of the industry trade body, the Verification of Lubricant Specifications (VLS), discusses recent changes at ACEA and the future of the ACEA sequences.
Described as the voice of the EU auto industry, the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) represents many of Europe’s major car, truck, van and bus makers. Yet recently, it has been hit by the news of two significant departures.
Over recent months two of the leading OEMs have announced their departure from ACEA for different reasons. In June 2022, Stellantis announced it was leaving ACEA and setting up its own “Freedom of Mobility” event. Just one month later, Volvo announced that it too was leaving ACEA as it disagreed with ACEA’s climate goals. In a statement, Volvo said: “After much consideration, we have concluded that Volvo Cars’ sustainability strategy and ambitions are not fully aligned with ACEA’s positioning and way of working at this stage. We have one of the most ambitious plans in the industry, but we can’t realise zero-emission transport by ourselves.”
So, where does this leave ACEA and the Engine Oil Sequences it produces?
One of the key roles of ACEA has been to publish the ACEA Engine Oil sequences. First published in 1996, these sequences identify relevant performance standards for lubricants, specifically tailored to the European market, based on the engine type. When selecting the right oil to use in a customer engine, the ACEA sequences are an essential piece of information, providing reassurance that a particular engine lubricant meets the minimum quality levels for the vehicle and is suitable for use in that application.
The ACEA sequences themselves have faced a challenging few years. New Light-Duty sequences were finally introduced in 2021, replacing the 2016 sequences. These sequences were first expected to be introduced in 2018, but the industry was left waiting as ACEA struggled to modernise the sequences and take account of modern engine test developments. The Heavy-Duty sequences were finally introduced in 2022. With national governments legislating to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles and other low emission technologies, does this mean the focus for OEMs has permanently shifted away from internal combustion engine vehicles?
Slow to respond
For now, the ACEA sequences are very much relevant. But the question is, for how long? Toyota’s recent spearheading of the International Fluids Consortium (IFC) has highlighted how slow ACEA has been in responding to market changes as Far Eastern manufacturers lead the way to ultra-low viscosity fluids.
All this comes to a market grappling with the move to zero emissions, including the increased market share of electric and hybrid vehicles and the different fluids that these vehicles need. Tests and specifications for these fluids barely exist, or are at least in the very early stage of development. One might expect ACEA to be leading the way in developing acceptable market standards, carving a path for the industry to follow. Yet so far, ACEA’s main standpoint is the worrying lack of charging infrastructure across Europe to allow electric vehicles to become a reality.
At this point, there has been no dialogue from ACEA on the development of specifications for EVs. ACEA specifications continue to focus purely on combustion engines.
Meanwhile, the International Fluids Consortium is forging ahead with its mission to develop and maintain fluid specifications which keep pace with vehicle technology to maintain momentum towards the future. Their agile, proactive approach seems quite in contrast to ACEA.
However the future unfolds for lubricant specifications, VLS will continue to work closely with members to support them in the transition to new, even more sophisticated lubricants and fluids. We will continue to investigate complaints against products to ensure that end users can make informed decisions and be confident that a lubricant is suitable for use in its application.
