The new findings that e-fuels can emit more poisonous NOx than conventional fuels could prove to be devastating for synthetic petrol’s environmental credentials.
E-fuels were touted by some as a possible solution for keeping internal combustion engine vehicles on the market beyond 2030. With claims that they can cut carbon emission up to 85%,
However, tests conducted on behalf of think tank Transport & Environment found that motors running on this ‘greener’ type of petrol emit equally high levels of toxic NOx fumes as standard E10 unleaded sold at filling stations today – and much more carbon monoxide and ammonia – despite claims of a lower carbon impact.
The report concludes that efuels “will not do much to ameliorate the air quality problems within our cities” that are linked to thousands premature deaths every year.
E-fuels as harmful as petrol: New tests carried out by a green transport think tank claims cars running on synthetic fuel emit as much poisonous nitrogen oxides as standard unleaded
Porsche is one the most prominent car companies that has invested huge amounts of money in the development of electric fuels.
German automaker BMW invested $24 million in the project, which aims to preserve models like the 911 after the ban on petrol and diesel vehicles from Europe’s showrooms around the turn of the century.
Bosch is also known to be investigating the possibility of creating synthetic fuels while Mazda earlier this year became the first automotive manufacturer to join the ‘eFuel Alliance’.
However, assessments carried out by French research organisation IFP Energies Nouvelles and Transport & Environment has found they have little benefits in terms of emissions that could be harmful for our health.
Tests on a Mercedes-Benz A-Class that has been running three different e-fuel mixtures.
In spite of the fact that efuels are not currently available for sale in France, 100 litres were produced by the French laboratory with different mixtures.
The Mercedes A-Class Mercedes was used to test the emissions. It was subjected to three cycles of e-fuel mixtures and traditional E10 petrol.
These same tests were done with the Mercedes engine running on E10 petrol. The results were nearly identical.
Even though particle emissions have been reduced significantly, there are still more than 2 billion particles emitted every kilometre of a e-petrol engine vehicle.
When burned, synthetic petrol causes almost three times more carbon monoxide – which deprives the heart and brain of oxygen – compared to petrol.
E-petrol cars also emitted up to twice as much ammonia than conventional vehicles. This can be combined with other substances in the air and form PM2.5 particles, for which there are no safe levels of pollution.
PM2.5 can cause asthma, heart disease, and cancer.
Julia Poliscanova, senior director for vehicles and e-mobility at T&E, said e-fuels have ‘lost the race to clean up cars’.
She adds that “no amount of spin will overcome the science behind burning hydrocarbons.”
“Toxic air in cities will continue to exist as long as gasoline is burned in engines,” says the author. The public is being exposed to more pollution by lawmakers that leave gaps for efuels in their emissions targets.
Mazda has confirmed that it joined the eFuel Alliance this year. This alliance is a collection of organizations who want to make e-fuels CO2-neutral and a reliable contributor to reducing emissions.
E-fuels are not going to offer any eco benefits and the report concludes that they will only be available for the well off.
According to the green transportation think tank, industry proposals for loopholes for efuels within EU car CO2 targets could lead to higher costs for drivers.
Running a car on e-fuels over five years will cost a driver approximately £8,500 more than running a battery electric car, the report estimates.
High e-fuel costs will also make running second-hand cars on e-petrol around £8,500 more expensive over the same timeframe.
Drivers can decarbonize with the most cost-effective, efficient, and economical way. Battery electric cars are better than synthetic fuels for planes in areas where electrification cannot be achieved.
Julia Poliscanova, Senior Director at Transport & Environment
According to the report, “This renders them unsuited for decarbonizing the existing fleet,” which is something that the oil and auto parts industries advocate.
This is because the production cost is much higher than that of electrifying vehicles.
The report says that to supply just 10% of all new cars with electric fuels, instead of electrifying them, it will take 23% more European renewable electricity.
Yet Transport & Environment didn’t rubbish the concept of e-fuels entirely, saying they should be prioritised for planes, most of which cannot use batteries to decarbonise and which today burn fossil fuels that may be even worse for air pollution.
Poliscanova stated that battery electric cars provide drivers with the best, cleanest and most affordable means to decarbonise. Synthetic fuels, however, are better suited for aircrafts where electrification may not be an option.
“Europe’s credibility in clean cars policy is under threat and any divergence into e-fuels will be a new lease on life for the old polluting engine.”
European MPs and governments are currently deciding on an EU Commission proposal that all new cars sold in 2035 be 100 per cent zero-emissions – leaving no ‘back door’ for e-fuel cars.
Porsche continues to push ahead with its e-fuel plans
Porsche launches a greener fuel next year: Porsche, the German sports car manufacturer will test synthetic petrol in racing cars next year
This fuel is compatible with all cars and would not require modifications. It could also be used in older motors.
Porsche plans to start trials with e-fuels in the next year. The company has been working on its own synthetic fuel, which it says could reduce CO2 emissions from internal combustion engines up to 85 percent.
Trails will initially be conducted in motorsport applications. Its first appearance is expected to be next year in a Porsche Supercup racing car.
This fuel wouldn’t require modifications to your car’s engine. It could also be compatible with older models. Existing motors may even become “as clean” as electric ones, if you account for carbon emissions during manufacturing and delivery.
Partnering with Siemens Energy, other companies around the world, the company has developed and implemented a pilot program in Chile since last year. The project aims to produce the world’s first integrated industrial-scale, commercially-scale, synthetic fuel-neutral plant.
The company also announced a partnership with Enel, Enel, AME, and Siemens Energy in December.
In September, Porsche and Siemens Energy confirmed that construction is already underway for Chile’s new efuel plant.
The company confirmed the construction of a Chilean facility for synthetic fuels production in September. It will be using the wind-powered environment of Chile to make efuels.
Porsche claims it can produce 55 million litres of cleaner synthetic fuel in 2024 and as many as ten times as many two years later.
Commenting on the plans last year, Porsche boss Oliver Blume reaffirmed that ‘electromobility’ remains the top priority at Porsche but eFuels for cars are a ‘worthwhile complement to that’ – as long as they’re produced in parts of the world where a ‘surplus of sustainable energy is available’.
Blume stated in December that they were an “extra element” on the path to decarbonisation.
Their advantages are in the ease of use: eFuels may be used in both combustion engines as well as plug-in hybrids and they can also make full use of existing filling stations.
“By using them we can make an additional contribution towards protecting the environment. We are a manufacturer of efficient, high-performance engines and have extensive technical knowledge.
“We are aware of the fuel requirements for our engines in order to function with minimum impact on climate.
“Our participation in the first integrated, commercial eFuels facility supports development of alternative fuels for the future.”
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