Porsche Creates Its Own Fuel Because They Know Better
Porsche is looking at synthetic fuels as a way to keep its classic cars on the road longer.
Going Synthetic
As we inch closer to a future dominated by electric vehicles, there will inevitably be a problem at some point - finding gasoline for classic cars. Porsche, for one, intends to help keep its vintage vehicles on the road, which is why it is now researching synthetic fuels, which could help internal combustion engines pollute less and run cleaner than traditional gasoline.
Photos: Porsche
Fundamental Component
"With electricity alone, you can't move forward fast enough. This technology is particularly important because the combustion engine will continue to dominate the automotive world for many years to come," said Michael Steiner, Member of the Executive Board, Research and Development. "If you want to operate the existing fleet in a sustainable manner, eFuels are a fundamental component."
Photos: Porsche
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Partners Needed
Thus, Porsche is currently looking into producing these eFuels but obviously needs the right partners to take on the project. "We have a team that is looking for suitable partners who want to build pilot plants with us and prove that the entire process chain works and can be industrialized," Steiner said. "Porsche wants to help shape this chain, but at the same time, doesn't want to define it down to the smallest detail alone."
Photos: Porsche
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Climate Neutral
eFuels are produced from CO2 and hydrogen using renewable energy. In terms of their basic properties, they are no different from kerosene, diesel, or gasoline processed from crude oil. However, they can ideally be a climate-neutral fuel.
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Long Term
Although Porsche plans for half of all its vehicles sold to be electric by 2025, the existing fleet is large. "Our cars are driven for a very, very long time," Steiner said. "And, while our hybrid vehicles are powered electrically for short distances, they rely on their combustion engines over longer distances."
Photos: Porsche
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Sustainability Over Efficiency
Steiner admits that it is far more efficient to simply charge an electric car with regenerative energy directly on the spot than to use it to produce a synthetic fuel in an elaborate process. However, he does not want to accept this argument forever either. "If humanity succeeds in using the regenerative energy that is available in surplus worldwide, we can prioritize sustainability over efficiency."
Photos: Porsche
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Matter of Cost
Right now, one of the biggest issues with eFuels is cost. Currently, it costs Porsche the equivalent of $37 per gallon to produce, which is obviously far too expensive for widespread adoption. However, the automaker believes that it can eventually drive that down to just above the cost of regular gas. And if that's the case, we might just be pumping synthetic gas into our Porsches sooner rather than later.
Photos: Porsche
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