Although it is recognised that the move towards cleaner burning, higher efficiency engines requires operating temperatures in excess of 500°C, there are currently few practical means available to achieve this. Therefore, the development of cleaner, more efficient engines requires the use of new lubrication technologies. Any potential lubricant and lubrication technology must address the changing needs of the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Specifically, this should include material and fuel compatibility, increased lubrication performance at elevated temperatures and pressures, ashless deposits, reduced particulate emissions, and biodegradability. Over the past six years, various organisations have addressed many of these needs and have successfully demonstrated the use of phosphate esters as candidate vapour phase (VP) lubricants. With the correct choice of lubricant, VP lubrication has been effective in reducing friction and minimising wear of ferrous-rich stainless and tool steels, alloys, ceramics and composites, at temperatures up to 670°C, under both sliding and rolling contact. This paper details the development of VP lubrication, and of sers some insights into materials and lubricant selection, and some examples of successful applications.