Greenhouse Gas Technology Center Completes Verification of ConocoPhillips Fuel-Efficient Rear Axle Gear Lubricant

Lubricant improved fuel efficiency in a light-duty truck

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Jan. 20 -- The Greenhouse Gas Technology Center (GHG Center) today announced that it has independently verified the performance of a new gear lubricant tested on a light-duty truck, one of the most widely used passenger vehicles in the United States. ConocoPhillips developed the lubricant along with axle manufacturer Visteon Corporation.

The product is marketed as a fuel-efficient, high-performance, multi-grade lubricant, and according to ConocoPhillips, consists of a lower viscosity, synthetic base lubricant with optimized fluidity and friction modifiers when compared to standard axle lubricants. Independent performance verification of the lubricant was conducted by the GHG Center using a 2003 Ford F-150 pick-up truck and light-duty truck testing facilities located at Southwest Research Institute. A synopsis and final performance evaluation report can be accessed on the U.S. EPA ETV website at http://www.epa.gov/etv/verifications/vcenter3-10.html .

"Compared to using standard lubricants, we measured about a one percent improvement in the fuel efficiency of our test truck," said Stephen Piccot, director of the GHG Center at Southern Research Institute. "While that sounds like a small percentage, if the lubricant is used in all the 2003 Ford vehicles that Visteon supplies axles to, we estimate the fuel savings would be equivalent of removing about 23,000 F-150 pick-ups from the road."

"That's quite a reduction in air pollution for little or no cost, and the fuel savings for consumers will add up over the life of a vehicle. If other automakers start using the lubricant, these benefits could be even more significant."

"It's been exciting for us to be involved in the development of this product, which is truly an industry first," stated Kay Bjornen, senior chemist, ConocoPhillips. "It was also gratifying to be able to see independent verification of our fuel economy data and to know that we are contributing to cleaner, more efficient vehicles. The ETV program provides an excellent venue for developing rigorous, scientifically-valid data to support our product claims."

The GHG Center is a public/private partnership between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Birmingham, Alabama-based Southern Research Institute, operating under the EPA's Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) program. The GHG Center looks for promising greenhouse gas mitigation technologies, subjects them to independent third-party performance testing, and provides performance results to the public free of charge. To date, the GHG Center has verified -- or is in the process of verifying -- 25 different environmental and energy technologies that can significantly impact greenhouse gas and other emissions.

Verifications generally involve the measurement of energy conversion efficiency, air pollution emission rates, secondary environmental impacts, operational performance, cost performance, and other variables of interest to purchasers and other stakeholders. Technology performance verifications are accomplished using measurement and analysis methods that have been reviewed and approved by independent expert stakeholder panels.

Since 1997, the GHG Center has verified commercial ready technologies in the following areas: advanced energy production and transportation systems, solid waste management, oil and gas production and distribution, GHG monitoring, agricultural waste management systems, advanced refrigeration systems, and other areas. Like the ConocoPhillips lubricant, technologies typically evaluated by the Center offer the promise of multiple benefits to users and the environment.

About Southern Research Institute

Southern Research is an independent, not-for-profit organization that conducts scientific research at facilities in Birmingham, AL, Frederick, MD, and Research Triangle Park, NC. Southern Research provides contract research in the fields of engineering, automotive research and testing, chemical and biological defense, homeland security, environmental and energy-related research, and pre-clinical drug discovery and drug development. The Institute is affiliated with the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB.) For more information, see www.southernresearch.org .

Note to Media Regarding Applicants for Technology Verification Companies interested in verification testing of their greenhouse gas technologies can download the Application for Testing at the GHG Center website ( http://www.sri-rtp.com/ ) and submit the form as instructed. For additional information, interested persons may contact Stephen Piccot (piccot@sri-rtp.com or 919-806-3456).

Media Contact: Rhonda Jung, Southern Research Institute, 205-581-2317, jung@sri.org