⚡ Electric Vehicles Are Rising — But Why the Engine Oil Market Isn’t Going Anywhere Yet
🚗 The EV Buzz is Real — But So is the Oil and lubrication Business
The global automotive industry is rapidly shifting gears toward electric mobility. From city EVs to electric scooters, the Indian government and automakers are driving policies and innovation to reduce fossil fuel dependence and carbon emissions.
But here’s the twist: while electric vehicles (EVs) are undoubtedly on the rise, the engine oil and lubricant market is far from declining. In fact, it’s adapting, expanding, and continuing to serve massive demand — especially in countries like India.
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🔋 EVs Don’t Use Engine Oil but other lubrications — and Most of the World Still Uses ICE Vehicles
It’s true: fully electric vehicles (BEVs) don’t require traditional engine oil, since they don’t have internal combustion engines (ICEs). However:
- India’s EV penetration is still around 6–8% (2024 data).
- The roads are still dominated by petrol and diesel vehicles.
- The two-wheeler and commercial fleet sectors continue to rely heavily on combustion engines.
💡 That means the majority of Indian vehicles — especially in tier 2 and rural areas — still require regular engine oil changes, gear oils, greases, and coolants.
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🛻 The Real Game: Hybrid Engines and Extended Transitions
Many automakers are pushing hybrid vehicles — which combine fuel engines with electric motors. These vehicles still require:
- Engine oils
- Transmission fluids
- Coolants
Hybrid vehicles are a transitional stage, and they prolong the demand for lubricant products.
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🛵 Two-Wheelers, Fleets & Last-Mile Vehicles Still Drive the Demand
While EV adoption is growing in 4-wheelers and luxury segments, India’s streets are filled with:
- Scooters and motorcycles used by Rapido, delivery agents, and students
- Auto-rickshaws and commercial vans
- Old vehicles still on the road with 10+ years of service
These segments still create massive demand for:
- Engine oils
- Clutch and brake fluids
- Gear and differential oils
- Greases for regular servicing
✅ RBM Oil Corporation continues to serve this vibrant, high-usage market by offering affordable, high-performance lubricants for India’s real road conditions.
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🧪 Innovation: Lubricants Are Evolving Too
The oil and lubricant industry isn’t sitting idle. It’s evolving to meet the future of mobility:
🔹 1. EV-Compatible Fluids
EVs still need:
- Coolants for battery and motor temperature control
- Brake fluids
- Greases for suspension and mechanical parts
Companies like RBM can develop EV-friendly lubricant solutions in the future.
🔹 2. Synthetic & Eco-Friendly Oils
There’s growing demand for:
- Low-emission oils
- Biodegradable greases
- Long-drain synthetic lubricants
This means R&D and innovation in the oil sector is just as alive as ever.
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📉 The Decline of Engine Oils Is Not Immediate — It’s Gradual
Even in countries where EVs are growing fast (like Norway), the engine oil market still exists.
In India, this transition is expected to take 10–15 years to reach even 50% penetration.
Meanwhile, regular vehicles will continue:
- Aging and needing more frequent servicing
- Being sold in used markets
- Running in rural and semi-urban roads
So the engine oil market isn’t shrinking — it’s re-aligning.
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🛢️ RBM Oil Corporation’s Role in a Changing Market
At RBM, we recognize the shift toward electric and green mobility — but we also serve a present reality where millions of engines still run on oil.
RBM continues to:
- Deliver engine oils for two-wheelers and commercial fleets
- Supply greases and fluids for workshops and mechanics
- Prepare for future trends by exploring EV-compatible solutions
Whether it’s a scooter on the street or a city delivery van, RBM ensures engines stay protected, costs stay low, and India keeps moving.
📞 Want to learn more about RBM’s product range or future-ready lubricants?
Visit rbmoilcorporation.com or reach out to us today.
📦 The Rise of Home Deliveries and E-Commerce: A Hidden Driver of Lubricant Demand
Over the past few years, India has seen a dramatic surge in:
- Online shopping (Flipkart, Amazon)
- Instant grocery platforms (Blinkit, Zepto, BigBasket)
- Food delivery (Zomato, Swiggy)
- Hyperlocal services (Dunzo, Urban Company)
While these industries focus on speed and convenience, their lifeline is transportation — thousands of bikes, vans, and commercial vehicles operating daily, non-stop to move products from warehouses to doorsteps.
🛵 This directly impacts the oil and lubricant industry because:
- These vehicles operate for long hours in tight urban traffic.
- Their engines are under constant pressure, requiring frequent oil changes.
- Two-wheelers and delivery scooters often face heavy wear, poor road conditions, and heat exposure.
🔧 What This Means for Oil Manufacturers Like RBM:
Rising demand for engine oils, especially in urban last-mile delivery vehicles
Greater need for:
- Heat-resistant oils
- Fast-drain gear oils
- Fuel-efficient lubricants
New markets like fleet maintenance partnerships with delivery aggregators or local garages
As home delivery becomes a daily norm, the vehicles powering it become a critical market segment for engine oil and grease manufacturers.
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🔮 Future Outlook: What’s Next for the Oil & Lubricant Industry?
The shift toward electric vehicles is happening, yes. But urban mobility, logistics, and delivery services will continue to grow — and not all of them will be electric anytime soon.
Here’s how the lubricant industry will evolve:
🔹 1. More Specialization in Product Types
Custom oils for 2-wheelers, fleet taxis, delivery scooters, mini trucks, and e-rickshaws
Separate formulations for stop-go city traffic, heat resistance, and long intervals
🔹 2. Urban Garage Networks
Partnerships with local garages and mechanics for faster oil change services
Tie-ups with delivery platforms for bulk maintenance programs
🔹 3. Digital Selling & Branding
Just like e-commerce is rising, B2B lubricant sales are moving online
RBM and other brands can leverage e-marketplaces, apps, and direct-to-workshop channels to sell and educate
🔹 4. Cleaner, Greener Fluids
Environmentally safe oils and biodegradable greases
Low-friction, fuel-efficient products for hybrid and small-engine vehicles.
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🛢️ RBM’s Stand: Serving Today, Preparing for Tomorrow
RBM Oil Corporation continues to serve India’s current energy needs, especially in the high-demand urban logistics sector, while also preparing for:
- The EV wave
- The rise of delivery-based businesses
- The evolution of mobility services and on-road performance requirements
Whether your vehicle runs on petrol, diesel, or even electricity — it still needs lubrication, care, and reliability.
RBM is proud to be part of that journey — now and into the future.
🧪 Leading Oil & Lubricant Companies Adapting to EVs and Modern Mobility
As the world shifts toward electric, hybrid, and high-efficiency engines, several major players in the lubricant industry are already adapting their formulations, packaging, and product strategies to stay relevant.
Here are a few notable examples:
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🔹 Castrol – From Engine Oils to E-Fluids
Castrol launched a dedicated range called Castrol ON, which includes:
- EV transmission fluids
- Thermal management fluids for batteries
- Greases for EV-specific moving parts
They also partner with companies like Jaguar Racing Formula E to test EV technologies under high-performance conditions.
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🔹 Shell – Powering Both ICE and Electric Futures
Shell is developing E-Fluids for electric drive units, batteries, and e-transmissions.
Launched Shell Helix Hybrid – a synthetic oil tailored for hybrid engines, which still use internal combustion engines part-time.
Investing in sustainable packaging and carbon-neutral lubricant options to support eco-conscious transitions.
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🔹 Mobil (ExxonMobil) – Expanding EV-Ready Solutions
ExxonMobil is working on advanced e-greases, thermal management fluids, and synthetic lubricants compatible with electric drivetrain requirements.
Mobil 1, their flagship engine oil brand, is also being adapted for turbocharged engines and hybrid models.
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🚀 What This Means for RBM Oil Corporation
RBM Oil Corporation may not yet have a global footprint like these giants — but the path is clear:
- Start small, think smart: Focus on making oils that match real Indian usage (heat, traffic, delivery pressures).
- Build hybrid-ready oils: Cater to rising hybrid scooter/car usage in urban areas.
- Explore EV-friendly products: Develop greases, coolants, and brake fluids compatible with two-wheeler EVs and e-rickshaws.
By learning from how industry leaders are evolving, RBM can stay competitive, future-ready, and aligned with India’s changing mobility and fuel landscape.
Here’s the graph showing the global rise in demand for E-Fluids (used in electric vehicles) from 2016 to 2024. It reflects how quickly the need for specialized lubricants—such as EV transmission fluids, coolants, and e-greases—is growing as electric mobility expands.
📈 Rising Demand for E-Fluids: A New Era for Lubricants
As EV adoption accelerates globally, the demand for E-Fluids has seen a sharp rise. These include:
- Battery cooling fluids
- Electric motor lubricants
- Specialized greases and transmission fluids
The chart below highlights the steady and growing interest in EV-compatible fluids, presenting both a challenge and opportunity for oil manufacturers
🧠 Conclusion: Oil Isn’t Dead — It’s Adapting
Electric vehicles are indeed rising, but the engine oil market is still very much alive and evolving.
In countries like India, where ICE vehicles will dominate for years, engine oils, greases, and coolants remain critical.
The real winners will be oil companies that adapt — just like RBM — by understanding customer needs, embracing change, and offering future-ready lubrication solutions.
🚀 Future Opportunities in the Lubricant and Oil Industry
Despite the gradual rise of EVs, the lubricants and engine oil sector is far from shrinking — in fact, it’s opening new doors for growth, innovation, and employment.
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💼 1. Business Growth Opportunities
With evolving vehicle technologies and usage patterns, lubricant companies like RBM Oil Corporation can:
- 📦 Expand into high-usage markets like delivery fleets, ride-hailing vehicles, and rural transport.
- 🛠️ Develop product lines for:
- EV coolants and transmission fluids
- Hybrid engine-compatible oils
- Eco-friendly, biodegradable lubricants
- 🔄 Offer maintenance partnerships to delivery companies, workshops, and large-scale fleet owners.
- 🌍 Explore export potential in neighboring markets with similar climate and vehicle usage patterns.
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👷♀️ 2. Employment Opportunities in the Lubricant Sector
As the industry evolves, more roles and skillsets are in demand
🔹 Sales & Field Services
B2B field officers, lubricant dealers, garage service consultants
🔹 R&D and Product Innovation
Formulation chemists for synthetic and EV fluids
QA/QC engineers for testing durability, thermal performance
🔹 Digital & Brand Marketing
Content creators for blogs, social media, and product videos
SEO & e-commerce executives for online lubricant sales
🔹 Technical Training & Support
On-ground mechanics and service providers trained in:
Hybrid & EV maintenance
Choosing correct oil types for fleet performance
✅ Companies like can become employment drivers in local regions by:
- Opening regional dealerships
- Training youth as certified service agents
- Collaborating with technical institutes for lubricant awareness workshops
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🧠 Final Thought: The Road Ahead
This evolving landscape means new opportunities for innovation, entrepreneurship, and skilled employment. For RBM Oil Corporation and similar companies, the future is not about phasing out — it’s about adapting smartly and leading boldly
