A carbon-neutral combustion engine has always been a dream for automobile enthusiasts. This dream is close to becoming a reality.
CO2 is captured While processing carbon-neutral fuel. This will minimize the contribution to global warming by the automobile industry.
The transportation sector will have to reduce the emission caused by vehicles by 50 percent in order to achieve the emission target the United Nations has set. This is not an easy task, Although electric vehicles can contribute to sustainability, aircraft, ships and heavy-duty trucks will have to run on combustible fuel.
carbon-neutral combustion engines run on synthetic fuels, thus creating a positive impact on harmful emissions.
How it works
Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is captured to produce Synthetic fuels.
The manufacturing of carbon-neutral fuels includes capturing atmospheric carbon. This makes greenhouse gas one of the main raw materials for synthetic fuels. Using energy from renewable sources synthetic fuels can be made into conventional fuels like Diesel, Petrol and other gasses. Synthetic fuels can be distributed using the current network of fuel distribution.
As the production of new cars and scrapping of good ones add to pollution, Synthetic fuel enables the users to shift from current gasoline or diesel to synthetic fuel without making any alterations to their engine.
The lifetime running cost of a hybrid – carbon neutral car could be less than a fully electric car.
How are synthetic fuels made?
Synthetic fuels are made with the help of various sources of renewable energy.
- Hydrogen is produced using water
- Adding carbon can make Liquid fuel
- Atmospheric carbon and industrial residues are captured to produce synthetic fuels
- When combining CO₂ and H₂ various fuels like gasoline, diesel, or gas can be made
Is synthetic fuel an expensive option?
Currently producing synthetic fuels is expensive. But with many players entering into this segment and promising electricity costs can make synthetic fuels cheaper than current alternatives.
Advantages and disadvantages of synthetic fuel
Advantages
- Carbon neutral
- Easy distribution
- Compatible with existing engines
- A great option for Ships and Planes
Disadvantages
- Expensive
- Can be carbon neutral only if renewable energy is used
- Harmful emissions
Future of synthetic fuel
Porsche and the German government have invested around 30 million dollars in the development of synthetic fuels. Earlier Porsche had announced that the synthetic fuel would be ready in 2022.
2021 Porsche 911 GT3 cup car
The German automaker has planned to increase the life of their current fleet by introducing efuel. The latest Porsche 911 GT3 race cars will be able to run on synthetic fuel. This will further decrease the CO₂ emissions by their Motorsports sector.
Let’s keep our fingers crossed and wait for further updates on synthetic fuels. This new advancement has the potential for automobile enthusiasts to continue enjoying the sound and feel of the thumping of the mighty combustion engine.
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