Tesla oil filter ensures amazement-how sustainable are electric cars really?

• Internet is surprised via oil filters in Tesla
• Sustainability of EVS in criticism
• Recycling in focus

Oil filter in the Tesla?

In online forums such as Reddit, an unusual component in Tesla Model Y recently caused discussions: a supposed oil filter. Users were surprised why a Electric car In general, oil is needed and whether refill is necessary.

Just bough this Tesla Oil Filter … Where do I pour the oil in?
byU/1SCORP1ON incharmemes

According to T3N, the explanation is simple: Model Y does not have a classic combustion engine, but the electrical drive train needs special lubricants. The “oil filter” discussed is actually a gear oil filter. This filters abrasion particles from the lubricant and thus contributes to the efficiency and durability of the drive.

Oil change also necessary for Teslas

But such a gear oil filter is not only installed in Model Y. The models Model 3, Model S and Model X are also equipped with such a component, as Slashgear explains.

Vehicles with rear wheel drive have a filter, while all-wheel drive models even need two: one on each front and rear axles. These filters fulfill a function similar to classic oil filters and therefore have to be changed regularly to ensure the efficiency of the drive.

Tesla recommends synthetic gear oil, which is more durable than conventional lubricants. Depending on the model, the oil and the filter should be changed about every two years or 100,000 miles. For comparison: With many classic cars, the next oil change is already after around 10,000 miles.

However, changing oil and filters at Teslas is technically more complex and usually requires special knowledge. Therefore, the manufacturer advises to have the service carried out by experts. Detailed instructions are in the official service trade book of the respective models.

How sustainable are EVS?

And even if the technical function of the gear oil filter in Tesla Model Y is quickly explained, its use on the Internet caused fundamental discussions. The use of fossil lubricants raises the question of the extent to which electric cars actually contribute to the independence of fossil raw materials – after all, many components such as plastics also contain fossil components.

In addition, the focus is on the environmentally harmful lithium breakdown for electric car batteries. Critics question the fundamental sustainability of the e-car concept: Is it really enough to only replace the drive, or is it need a rethink in individual traffic?

In a report from December 2024, the IEA also explains that the growing demand for electric vehicles and battery storage has made batteries a central component of the energy transition. With the expected further market growth, however, the requirements and concerns about sustainability and availability of critical raw materials also increase.

Recycling is gaining in importance

A corresponding analysis of the IEA illuminates the emissions along the entire battery supply chain and identifies central starting points for reducing ecological footprint.

Even today, battery-powered electric cars in global average cause around 50 percent fewer CO2 emissions over their entire life cycle as a comparable burner. A particularly effective lever for the future is recycling, which can not only reduce emissions, but also the need for primary raw materials such as lithium, nickel or cobalt. With consistent implementation, up to 40 percent cobalt and 25 percent lithium and nickel could be saved by 2050, the study says.

The importance of recycling increases especially when large amounts of old batteries come back into the circulation in the next decade. The recycling of production waste will also play a key role over the next 10 years. However, a prerequisite for this is investments in recycling infrastructure and higher collective quotas.

At the same time, battery production is expected to become more diverse – especially through new investments in Europe and North America. Demand in emerging countries (outside of China) should also increase to 10 percent of the global market by 2030 (compared to 3 percent in 2023).

How the mobility of the future will actually develop remains open.

Editor finance.net

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