The answer to Formula 1’s quest for a greener solution without losing the original thrill of combustion engines could come from Chile, where work has begun on the synthetic fuel production plant known as eFuel, thanks to a joint venture between Porsche and Siemens.
Next year the project Haru Oni a Punta Arenas should produce 130,000 liters of eFuel, a synthetic fuel that is created by dividing water into oxygen and green hydrogen, and then combining CO2 with green hydrogen to produce synthetic methanol, which is then converted into eFuel, which can be used in normal combustion engines. This figure will increase to 55 million liters in 2024 and 550 million in 2026.
Porsche’s head of research and development, Michael Steiner, told reporters: “We have had discussions with Formula 1 and we could give them a part of our eFuel.” However, Porsche expects to expand production to optimum levels before meeting the needs of both Formula 1
eFuel, Porsche’s synthetic fuel that is also popular with the maritime and aeronautical sectors
As they explain in Porsche “The first priority will be to provide fuel for the Porsche Supercup 2022. Our next step could be our Porsche Experience Centers, where our customers could benefit from these renewable fuels. Another idea will be the “first refueling” of our cars, at the plant before delivering them to customers. But sooner or later we will have to find ways of distribution globally ”.
Steiner added: “In addition to the automotive industry, we already have good discussions with airlines, European and American, and also with shipping companies. Some of the companies in these sectors want to follow us. ” In maritime transport it would not be the eFuel being developed for cars, but perhaps e-ethanol. “In principle, there is interest. But what about regulation, what about taxes? It must be renewable and sustainable, but also economically attractive “.
“There is also some interest from other car manufacturers. But looking at the production volumes in our pilot plant, we say there will be a bit of a wait. If there is interest, we will first look at our subsidiaries within the VW Group ”.
Porsche: 1 billion euros of investments for decarbonisation
Porsche announced in March 2021 that it would redouble its commitment to sustainability, while making it clear that it believes that reducing CO2 emissions is much more than just electrification of cars.
The carmaker is convinced that combustion engines running on synthetic fuels also have a role to play, in motorsports and road cars. “The problem is not the combustion engine itself, but the burning fuel”, explains Dr. Michael Steiner. “We have to work hard to reduce CO2 emissions, no doubt, and we are fully committed to that. We would like to demonstrate that eFuels are a viable technology with certain volumes; there are many questions and people who are not convinced that it will work. So we have to prove it to them. We don’t have to make the decision alone, of course, but we’ll do our best to see if it’s a solution for sports cars, racing and even road cars ”.
Synthetic fuels are used by engines in a conventional way, creating heat, energy and emissions, but their production involves carbon neutral processes or even able to compensate for the CO2 released during combustion.
Audi has been working on this type of synthetic fuel (eFuel) for several years and Porsche has announced that it is also increasing its investment in research and development in this technology.
LPorsche CEO Oliver Blume says: “Our petrol engines continue to develop constantly. They are more and more efficient with each new generation and we see eFuels as a way to have an almost neutral type of fuel. Together with our partners, for example Siemens, we are leading the industrialization of e-fuels with an investment of around 20 million euros in a pilot plant to prepare this technology on a large scale ”.
In the intentions of Porsche, co The eFuels, cars with internal combustion engines and hybrids of the brand could circulate almost neutral in the future. Maybe even the 911, which Porsche is not yet convinced to fully electrify.