The fuel demand in transport sector seems to be raised on a short and also on a long term base in the European Union and worldwide as well. A constantly growing trend is foreseen through 2050 worldwide as for using bio-based energy or fuels. Questions can arise before using these kinds of fuels in connection with the use of clean water or in terms of soil degradation, plant nutrients. It is also questionable whether they can be useful regarding their usage. First-, and second generation liquid as well as third generation gaseous bio-based fuels will be in focus in this article. They will be analyzed from physical-chemical properties and pollutant emission points of view.

To improve the fuel efficiency and the lifetime of the internal combustion engines, the lubricants and their additives have to be developed further. One of the possible future engines lubricants can be the nano-sized ceramic particles, which can provide positive tribological properties also in the presence of non-metallic surface materials. This paper presents the results of investigations with the help of ZrO2 and CuO nano-sized ceramic particles. To define the tribological properties of these additives, lubricant samples with different additive-concentrations were prepared and tribologically analysed. The frictional losses of these lubricant samples were analysed by a ball-on-disk sliding friction machine. The worn surface on the test specimens was analysed by different high-resolution microscopes. To define the functional mechanisms of the nano-additives, the worn surfaces were investigated by high resolution scanning electron microscopes. The ZrO2 additive has experimentally shown an excellent wear reduction property (over 40% wear reduction compared with the neat Group 3 base oil) at the optimum mixing concentration of 0.4wt%. Both frictional and wear reduction properties could be determined at the application of CuO additive (15-15% friction coefficient and wear scar diameter reduction) at its optimum concentration (0.5wt%). A copper-yellow layer can be seen on the worn surface of the disc specimens with CuO, which indicates the mechanism of chemical transformation to elementary copper from the cupric-oxide nanoparticle and this elementary copper can be melted on the surface, because of the applied high temperature and high loads during the experiments.

Non-fossil fuels for the commercial and passenger vehicle sector are gaining more importance due to their positive effects on exhaust gas emissions. Ongoing research investigating a broad variety of biofuels, synthetic fuels and regenerative fuels shows that a reduction of CO 2 emissions can be possible without major modifications to the existing vehicle infrastructure. An internal combustion engine is a complex system of physical and chemical mechanisms, all of which contribute to the performance output, exhaust gas composition, durability and longevity of the engine. Modifying the fuel will not only result in differing chemical reactions and thermodynamic efficiency but will also affect friction and wear through the dilution and degradation of the lubricant. This study aims to investigate the variation of friction and wear in a model system due to the introduction of oxymethylene ether and regular diesel fuel to the lubricant. High-frequency reciprocating rig experiments will be carried out on 100Cr6 steel specimen with laboratory aged fully formulated commercially available SAE 0W-20 grade engine oil containing defined amounts of OME 3−5 and regular diesel fuel. The surface of the steel specimen will be analysed using optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy.

The climate policy of the EU specifies strict limits for harmful exhaust gases of passenger cars and commercial vehicles. Electric Mobility plays a significant role in reaching the fleet targets, but internal combustion engines (ICEs) will still be necessary in the next 30 years in medium to long distance transportation. Within the scope of this review article, research activities concerning engine performance, exhaust emissions, friction, wear and corrosion of components in relation to drop-in fuel alternatives, as well as the impact of such fuels on the degradation of the lubricant will be presented. Production pathways and properties of alternative fuels will be briefly introduced.