Highviscositygearpumpdoesnotgeneratepressure, itis onlythe outputflow. Pressure is loworno pressure, high viscosity gear wheel pumpdon'tinhale theliquid or leakage is serious.
Controlling steering using electric motors also helps to reduce fuel consumption and hence carbon-dioxide emissions. (Electric motors require power only when the steering wheel is turned, whereas a hydraulic pump drains power from the engine all the time.) Ford reckons 90% of its cars will have electronic steering within three years.