Pennzoil announced it will offer customers carbon-neutral lubricants for passenger cars in North America.

Existing products within the Pennzoil Platinum® line of fully synthetic motor oils are carbon neutral as a step toward Shell’s target to be a net-zero emissions energy business by 2050 or sooner.

Globally, Shell aims to offset the annual emissions of more than 200 million litres of advanced synthetic lubricants, expecting to compensate around 700,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions per year, which is equivalent to taking approximately 340,000 cars off the road for one year.

Conscious motorists

“Motorists are more conscious of contributing to a more sustainable lifestyle and are looking for ways to reduce their net carbon footprint,” said Machteld de Haan, CEO of Pennzoil-Quaker State Company and Vice President of Shell Lubricants Americas.

“Our carbon-neutral lubricants will provide motorists with less carbon-intense choices without having to compromise the high performance and engine protection that they expect from Pennzoil,” adds Machteld de Haan.

Carbon neutral

The term “Carbon Neutral”, indicates that Shell has engaged in a transaction where an amount of carbon dioxide equivalent associated with the acquisition and pre-processing of raw materials, lubricants production, packaging, distribution, and the subsequent use and end of life treatment of the used materials has been removed from the atmosphere.

One of the ways Shell plans to avoid emissions is by optimizing efficiency during production and design of their products by using more recycled content in its bottles, where possible.

Shell will reduce emissions by a number of avenues, including improved energy efficiency. More than 50% of the electricity used in the Shell Lubricant Blending Plants now comes from renewable resources.

Shell will offset the remaining CO2e emissions through buying and selling carbon credits from its global portfolio of nature-based solutions projects and continued investment in nature-based solutions initiatives.

Tackling emissions

In North America, Pennzoil will offset the emissions from the Pennzoil Platinum line of fully synthetic motor oils including:

• Pennzoil Ultra Platinum™ Full Synthetic Motor Oil: SAE 0W-20 and 0W-40
• Pennzoil Platinum® Full Synthetic Motor Oil: SAE 0W-16 and SAE 0W-20
• Pennzoil Platinum® High Mileage Full Synthetic Motor Oil: SAE 0W-20
• Pennzoil Platinum® Euro Full Synthetic Motor Oil: SAE 0W-30 and SAE 0W-40

Modern-day motor oils

Engines are now designed to run on thinner motor oils compared to older engines which typically run on 5W-20, 5W-30 or even 10W-30.

Therefore, Pennzoil has worked to develop modern-day motor oils which focus on zero-weight (0W) grades, otherwise known as low viscosity oils, which are engineered to achieve better fuel economy.

Throughout 2021, Pennzoil will inform motorists about the benefits of choosing a carbon-neutral product.

Pennzoil will begin by hosting a virtual panel discussion to introduce solutions to meet the challenges within the automotive aftermarket industry for passenger cars

Additional details about the virtual panel discussion will be released closer to the panel date.