Porsche launches eco-friendly e-fuel made from CO2, water and wind power.

E-fuel, made from water and carbon dioxide using wind power, makes gasoline engines nearly CO2-neutral. (CREDIT: Creative Commons)

Porsche and international partners working with Chilean operating company Highly Innovative Fuels (HIF) have begun commercial production of synthetic fuels.

In the presence of the Minister of Energy of Chile, Diego Pardou, the official opening of the Haru Oni ​​pilot plant in Punta Arenas (Chile) took place today. E-fuel, made from water and carbon dioxide using wind power, makes gasoline engines nearly CO2-neutral.

“The potential for eFuels is huge. There are currently over 1.3 billion internal combustion engine vehicles in the world. Many of these will be on the road in the coming decades, and eFuels offers existing car owners a near-zero carbon alternative. As a manufacturer of high-performance and efficient engines, Porsche has a wide range of fuel know-how,” adds Michael Steiner, Member of the Executive Board for Development and Research at Porsche AG.

eFuel is a synthetic fuel made from water, renewable electricity and carbon dioxide to replace gasoline in Porsche combustion engines. It is produced using a process called power-to-liquid (PTL), which uses renewable electricity to convert water and carbon dioxide into liquid fuels.

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One of the key benefits of the Porsche eFuel is its low carbon footprint. The fuel is produced using renewable electricity, which means that no carbon emissions are generated during the production process. When it burns in an engine, it only releases the carbon dioxide that was used to make it, meaning it has a significantly lower carbon footprint than gasoline.

The Porsche eFuel is also compatible with existing infrastructure, meaning it can be used in any vehicle that currently runs on gasoline. It can be filled at a gas station in the same way as gasoline, and it does not require any modifications to the car.

Porsche is currently testing eFuel on a number of its vehicles, including the 911 GT3 and Panamera. During these tests, the fuel showed impressive performance, while the acceleration and top speed were the same as those of gasoline.

Punta Arenas is also located near the Strait of Magellan. From the port of Cabo Negro, eFuel can be transported in the same way as traditional fuels around the world. (CREDIT: Porsche)

Porsche also plans to use eFuel in its hybrid and electric vehicles, as it could help extend their range and reduce their carbon footprint.

All in all, the Porsche eFuel is an exciting development that could significantly reduce the carbon footprint of the transportation sector. It is a clean, renewable fuel that can be used in any vehicle that currently runs on gasoline, making it a viable alternative to fossil fuels.

Barbara Frenkel, Member of the Executive Board of Purchasing Porsche AG, and Michael Steiner, Member of the Executive Board of Development and Research of Porsche AG, drive a Porsche 911. (PREDICTION: Porsche)

At the pilot stage, it is planned to produce eFuel at a level of about 130,000 liters per year. The fuel will initially be used in beacon projects such as the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup and Porsche Experience Centers.

After the pilot phase, the first scale-up will increase the project in Chile to a projected 55 million liters per year by mid-decade. In about two years, the capacity is expected to reach 550 million liters.

The e-fuel will be used in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup racing series. (CREDIT: Porsche)

Initially, Porsche will use eFuels in special projects, including as fuel for the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup racing series. It currently costs $45/gallon to produce, but is projected to cost less than $8/gallon by 2026.

The south of Chile offers ideal conditions for the production of e-fuels, where the wind blows about 270 days a year and allows wind turbines to operate at full capacity. Punta Arenas is also located near the Strait of Magellan. From the port of Cabo Negro, eFuel can be transported in the same way as traditional fuels around the world and distributed using existing infrastructure.

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