Biolubricants for electric vehicles: A sustainable perspective on emerging challenges and opportunities

Document Type

Review

Publication Date

7-1-2026

Abstract

A growing interest in biodegradable and eco-friendly lubricants in response to increasing global requirements has focused attention on non-conventional biodegradable biolubricants sourced from non-edible vegetable oil, waste animal fats, waste cooking oil, and microalgae. A critical analysis of recent scientific literature in this field aims to examine the possibility of using biodegradable biolubricants in the powertrain systems of electric vehicles. Scientific studies have established the effectiveness of chemical modifications such as transesterification into polyester, epoxidation, estolide formation and other modification reactions to bring remarkable improvements in oxidation resistance, low-temperature fluidity, and electrical resistance, making them suitable for EVs. Friction studies have clearly indicated that biodegradable biolubricants possess equal frictional properties and sometimes better performance than conventional frictional materials because of their natural polarity and high potential to form durable tribofilms during high-speed torque EVs operations such as in gearboxes. Furthermore, advanced additive materials, especially nanomaterial additives such as MXenes, hexagonal boron nitride, and graphene, bring forth important improvements in thermal resistance, load-carrying capacity, copper corrosion resistance, and controlled conductivity, making them highly potential for EVs operations. Based on all these factors, it can be established that biodegradable biolubricants have a bright future in bringing about a revolution in safer, eco-friendly EVs operations. Large-scale biolubricant production is only economically feasible with low-cost non-food feedstocks, including agricultural waste, specialized microalgae, and waste cooking oil, along with energy-efficient techniques such as microwave or ultrasonic-based synthesis. Technically, future advances must bridge the gap between laboratory-scale scientific feasibility and practical application in electric vehicles, particularly in terms of increased EVs validation.

Keywords

Advanced lubrication, Biolubricant synthesis, Eco-friendly transportation, Tribological performance, Waste cooking oil

Publication Title

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

ISSN

1364-0321

DOI

10.1016/j.rser.2026.116967

Volume

235

Publisher

Elsevier

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