Synthetic fuels: Rescue for mobility or failed?

Synthetic fuels: Rescue for mobility or failed?

The discussion about the future of mobility has gained intensity, especially with regard to the role of synthetic fuels, known as efuel. The mobility expert Jürgen Roth from Efuel Alliance Austria emphasizes that politics is urgently needed by politics to reduce CO₂ emissions in road traffic. While some experts see the possibility of making the existing car stock by using EFUEL CO₂-neutral, there are also considerable concerns about the availability and high energy requirements of these technologies. These divergent opinions occur in an environment in which the EU shows signs to rethink the ban on sales for combustion engines. According to Leadersnet demands that Roth is working in parallel for the development of new engine concepts and energy sources.

Current sales figures show that the proportion of electric cars in Europe has increased - from 3% to 4% - still forecast experts that around 90% of the vehicles will continue to be equipped with an internal combustion engine by 2030. A study by Günther Oswald explains that efuel may even have better emission values ​​than electric cars. This consideration is supported by the analysis that hydrated vegetable oil (HVO) can significantly reduce CO₂ emissions-from 13-14 kg to about 2.6-2.7 kg CO₂ per 100 km.

technological solutions and their challenges

In order to achieve the European climate goals, it is crucial to further reduce pollutant emissions in traffic. Industry has developed various technological solutions, which also include synthetic fuels. These can be used in combustion engines like conventional fuels and enable almost CO₂-neutral locomotion if they are generated from renewable energy. The use of efuel extends not only on cars, but also on trucks, ships and planes. According to bdi , the production of synthetic fuels is promoted by the power-to-x technology, whereby the green hydrogen from electrolysis serves as a central raw material.

The challenge in implementation lies in the implementation of technical processes in which as much CO₂ is bound as the later consumption emits. To achieve this, the electricity used must come from renewable energies, and the CO₂ is taken from the environment or obtained from exhaust gases. The Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage technology also comes into play, which can contribute to increasing efficiency.

political framework and funding

The demands for a clear political strategy and planning security are essential, according to Roth. In order to promote the development and use of EFUELs productively, the Austrian federal government must become active and develop an extensive Efuel strategy. Mobility experts also appeal to the EU to reduce regulatory barriers and to determine higher odds for efuels in the fuel regulation.

Time pressure is growing because the criticism of the slow implementation of CO₂ limit regulations increases by the EU. Despite the existing challenges, EFUELs could offer a promising solution to make the mobility of tomorrow climate -neutral. For more information, readers can view the complete reports on the topic on Efuels Forum