Use of eFuels (synthetic fuels) expected to increase significantly by 2030
I found an article about Porsche being interviewed by an overseas magazine, so I would like to take a look at the contents. This time, it was about synthetic fuels (eFuels).
Porsche believes that, due to increasing technological support from potential customers and governments, synthetic fuels will account for a significant proportion of gasoline use within the next decade.
Ten years from now seems like quite a short time, but is that the future awaiting us?
As you may know, Porsche is investing heavily in the development of synthetic fuels and has already established a pilot production facility in Chile in collaboration with HIF Global and other partners.
The aim of the pilot project is to demonstrate that synthetic fuels can be produced in a carbon-neutral manner.
The European Union currently plans to allow the sale of internal combustion engine vehicles in Europe after 2035, but only if those ICE vehicles run on carbon-neutral synthetic fuels.
It's easy to say, "We can sell gasoline-engine cars if they run on carbon-neutral synthetic fuel," but that's actually quite difficult.
In other words, many people seem to think that they are essentially being told, "That's impossible."
However, it is.
That's why Porsche is focusing on producing synthetic fuels, as they believe it is an important step towards reducing the impact on the environment.
The Chilean plant, which runs on renewable energy, currently produces synthetic fuels for use in the Porsche Supercup race series and for a variety of other applications.
When Porsche started the project, it was seen as a potential way to keep older cars running into the future, but according to Michael Steiner, Porsche's head of research and development, that could change depending on the success of the project and growing interest in alternatives to EV technology.
"Since we started this project, more and more people - customers and politicians - are realizing that it's not enough to just promote e-mobility," says Steiner. "While e-mobility is the main focus, we also have to think about the huge and growing number of existing ICE vehicles."
Mmhmm. And he continues:
"Everyone needs to gradually replace new cars with electric vehicles, but we also need to pay attention to how we replace all the fossil fuel energy we use in our cars, ships, planes, etc."
"We see synthetic fuels as a great addition to e-mobility because it allows us to do something with existing cars that we think will help the environment more quickly."
Porsche believes that its synthetic fuels plant should become a "role model" for expanding synthetic fuel production.
He also said that the key is to reduce the use of fossil fuels, and rather than switching cars to run only on synthetic fuels, we can gradually replace fossil fuels with synthetic fuels by blending them together, little by little, gallon by gallon.
The recent slump in EV sales and Porsche extending the lifespan of its ICE models are likely contributing to the growing interest in synthetic fuels.
Porsche is reportedly receiving more and more support, so hopefully, by the end of the decade, we could be seeing a significant increase in synthetic fuel use.
New direct air capture facility being added to Chile's synthetic fuels plant
Porsche is also currently preparing to add a direct air capture facility to its Chilean plant, which will use recovered thermal energy from the main plant to complement the wind and solar power already in use.
This would make it possible to produce the CO2 needed for synthetic fuels from ambient air.
Once this becomes possible, a circular model will be realized in which energy is obtained from the wind and sun and necessary elements are obtained from the air.
It's amazing. The people who come up with these ideas are amazing, and Porsche is also amazing for realizing what they have in mind on a large scale.
Q&A with Michael Steiner
Finally, this interview also included a Q&A session, so I would like to take a look at that as well.
The question is about Porsche extending the lifespan of its existing ICE Cayenne and other ICE models:
Q: Why are you changing your strategy regarding ICE vehicles?
"Porsche's strategy is three-pronged: ICE, hybrid, and full EV. What Porsche is doing now is adapting this strategy in terms of timing. They are preparing for the possibility that the 80% cars they sell in 2030 could be full EVs, and Porsche is preparing in terms of its product portfolio... but in many markets this transition is expected to be slow."
Q: What updates will the ICE models receive?
"The plug-in hybrid and ICE models will have additional upgrades to meet new emissions standards, but there will also be other infotainment, engine and technology upgrades. So you can expect upgrades to the V8 and V6 engines."
"The new Cayenne will be fully electric, but will have an ICE version available in parallel throughout its lifespan. The same goes for the Panamera. We've also introduced an updated 911 with a hybrid powertrain."
Wow, so this means that even after the full EV Cayenne is released, the ICE version will continue to be released in the future. And there are plans to upgrade it as well.
Q: Why is the 911 hybrid only and not a full plug-in hybrid?
"We've done a lot of testing with different hybrid concepts for the 911 over the past decade. We've also had the opportunity to drive plug-in hybrid 911s with bigger batteries and longer ranges, but after a lot of work and prototyping, we've arrived at this result. The 911 is the core car of the Porsche sports brand, and so a lighter proposition is necessary."
Source:
◆Porsche predicts bigger role for e-fuels
◆Porsche Pushes For E-Fuels To Keep ICE Cars Alive Post-2035
Related article:
◆Porsche plans to start selling eFuel in about 10 years
◆Porsche 911s built before 1966 to race on synthetic fuel at Goodwood
◆Porsche starts production of eFuels (synthetic fuels) in Chile
◆"Porsche is working on two things: e-mobility and synthetic fuel (eFuel)," said Porsche CEO.
◆Porsche to research and develop synthetic fuel eFuel
◆Porsche's Cayenne plans for the next decade: ICE, hybrid and full EV
I'm Rika, the author of this article. Ever since Porsche 911 became my favorite car, I've become totally addicted to Porsche, and I can't stop loving Porsche, so I started this blog. My favorite cars are 911 Carrera (991.2), 911 Carrera Cabriolet (992.1), and 911 Carrera T (992.1).
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