Porsche is investing close to A$100 million in further development of environmentally-friendly synthetic fuel, with the potential to keep new and existing internal combustion powered vehicles running indefinitely.
Acquiring a long-term (12.5 per cent) stake in eFuel specialist HIF Global, Porsche’s capital injection will help underpin construction of a pilot production plant in Punta Arenas, Chile.
Already working with Siemens Energy and ExxonMobil on the production of synthetic fuel through the combination of hydrogen and CO2 (using wind power), Porsche expects output to begin in the middle of this year.
According to Porsche’s head of research and development, Michael Steiner, the “electrically-based” synthetic fuels will allow close to CO2-neutral operation of internal-combustion engines.
“The eFuel produced is compatible with the existing super fuel grade you buy at the pump, and there will be no need for any modification of current internal-combustion models, although some elements may have to be added to avoid degradation of some rubber parts in older engines,” he said.
Initial application of the new fuel is likely to be in Porsche’s motorsport programs, followed by the company’s own vehicles, initial fuelling of customer vehicles, and at the brand’s 10 Experience Centres around the globe.
And the famous German carmaker isn’t stopping there. Barbara Frenkel, the company’s head of procurement says through its stake in HIF Global, the new technology’s scope will include automotive, aviation, and shipping, as well as the chemical industry where e-methanol (an intermediate product used in the creation of eFuel) can replace fossil-based raw materials.
At the same time, Formula One is looking towards a high-energy eFuel for continued use of internal combustion engines. It is exploring a range of options from carbon capture to use of municipal waste, algae or agricultural bi-products as base elements, with the intention of running on eFuel from 2026.
F1 says it’s looking to collaborate with fuel companies so the eFuel can eventually be made available beyond motor racing for widespread public use.
Keyword: Electric cars are the future? Don't write off internal combustion power yet as Porsche picks up the eFuel pace