Porsche Aims To Make Gas Cars as Clean as EVs

Going Green

Not too long ago, Porsche revealed that it was working on developing synthetic fuels that would help keep ICE-powered vehicles on the road as emissions standards continue to tighten. However, what it has found through this research is that its synthetic fuel - which uses CO2 and hydrogen ingredients - can make an internal combustion engine as clean as an electric vehicle.

Photos: Porsche

Climate Neutral

Porsche's eFuels are made using renewable energy and represent a liquid that burns exactly the same as gasoline made from crude oil, but it can be produced in a climate-neutral manner, according to the automaker. Porsche plans to have a test batch consisting of 34,340 gallons of eFuel ready by next year.

Photos: Porsche

Similar CO2 Levels

"Synthetic fuel is cleaner and there is no byproduct, and when we start full production we expect a CO2 reduction of 85 percent," Porsche vice president of Motorsport and GT cars, Frank Walliser, explained to Evo. "From a 'well to wheel' perspective - and you have to consider the well-to-wheel impact of all vehicles - this will be the same level of CO2 produced in the manufacture and use of an electric vehicle."

Photos: Porsche

Going Racing

Aside from its cleanliness, the main advantage of eFuels is that they can be used in existing internal combustion engine-powered vehicles without having to make any modifications. And they're so good that Porsche will use them in its 911 GT3 cup car, a move that the automaker says "significantly lowers CO2 emissions under racing conditions."

Photos: Porsche

Fundamental Component

"This technology is particularly important because the combustion engine will continue to dominate the automotive world for many years to come," said Michael Steiner, a member of Porche's executive board for R&D. "If you want to operate the existing fleet in a sustainable manner, eFuels are a fundamental component."

Photos: Porsche

Viable Solution

Other automakers, including Audi, Mazda, Bentley, and McLaren have explored the idea of synthetic fuels, while Audi actually dabbled in making e-diesel fuel back in 2015. But for the most part, automakers are focused on making EVs now and have abandoned the idea. Porsche, however, feels like it is a viable solution to a modern problem.

Photos: Porsche

Many Benefits

Porsche's eFuels certainly sound promising, and it's worth noting that ICE-powered vehicles aren't exactly going to disappear into the night, even when they can no longer be purchased new. Thus, why not develop a fuel that can be produced in a clean manner and one that might also pollute less than what we use now?

Photos: Porsche

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