The wish of every classic or older daily driver is that there is a magic pill that you put in your gas tank to make your car run clean. In some ways, announcing the production of synthetic fuels may be a magic pill. This is because, without modifications, . The exhaust from its combustion is “often better than the ambient air in cities,” says Michael Steiner, who is part of development and research on Porsche’s executive board.
How does eFuel work?
So whether you’re driving a Model T Ford or a 1953 Packard Caribbean convertible, tossing e-fuel in the tank makes it as clean as a Tesla. The plant, located in Punta Arenas, Chile, began producing its own e-fuel on December 20th. Porsche plans to use its e-fuel for both passenger and racing cars.
Hydrogen mixes into water and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Its only by-product is carbon emission. Hydrogen is drawn from the water through electrolysis. But this process uses large amounts of energy, so the only way it doesn’t turn into a mere carbon transition is to use renewable energy.
With high wind levels in Chile throughout the year, it has become an option for its renewable energy potential. Porsche estimates it has four times the potential of any other region in the world.
Why does Porsche make e-fuel?
The company’s goal is clear, to fuel internal combustion engines for decades to come. “There are currently more than 1.3 billion combustion engine vehicles worldwide,” says Steiner. “Many of these will be on the roads for decades to come, and eFuels provide owners of existing vehicles with an alternative.”
Once production reaches volume, it can extend or even cancel mandates to end internal combustion engine production. Porsche expects it to reach its estimated full capacity of 145 million gallons by 2027. It currently produces 35,000 gallons per year.
Bubbles don’t burst, but there are caveats to all of this. Porsche does not intend to make its e-fuel available to the public. It is intended for racing purposes and for use in various experience centers.
How much will it cost?
Porsche estimates production costs at $2 per liter, averaging $7.60 per gallon. This does not include shipping costs, taxes, and wholesale prices, although increased production will reduce this amount. The good news is that Porsche is investing in eFuels. Volkswagen, Aston Martin and Lamborghini, the parent company of Porsche, are developing their own e-fuel. And that’s just the automakers.
Porsche Highly Innovative Fuels partners Siemens and ExxonMobil are gearing up for the big e-fuel production. So all this drive towards mass production coupled with the resulting competition will definitely lower costs for consumers. Even so, we suspect prices will be in the same range as fossil fuels today.
So while that sounds too good to be true, with production actually happening, it’s here and now. Hopefully, with so much interest in e-fuels, production can be scaled up to make it more readily available in the world of auto electrification.
