We know it well; the less and less hidden introduction and the unstoppable commercialization of the sale of electric cars condemns the hypothetical new gasoline or diesel cars to the disappearance . And, therefore, to those already manufactured, sold and registered to the progressive cut of supply of traditional fossil fuels. But it is also true that all this could change with the so-called synthetic gasoline.
Synthetic gasoline, a hope?
Sustainable fuels, known as synthetic gasoline or e-fuel , could be the alternative to traditional hydrocarbons in cars with traditional engines. This would be the great news or, rather, the great response that combustion cars could have so as not to disappear.
And it is not that it is something new, far from it, since the production system of these synthetic fuels is considered a crucial piece in circular economy strategies, since it contributes to the efficient use of resources and the use of waste.
For the production of ecofuels, electricity from renewable sources is used which, through an electrolysis process, separates the oxygen and hydrogen particles from the water, giving rise to the so-called ‘green hydrogen’ or renewable. But what does this have to do with combustion cars and how could it save them?
What is it about
Currently we have both vehicles with partial zero emissions, hybrids, electric cars, hydrogen fuel cell, CNG and LPG… there are quite a few options that have been proposed to walk towards an emission-free future… and there, one of the last and great proposals It is the one that has to do with synthetic fuels, e-fuel , or simply synthetic gasoline.
In these, it is sought to accommodate and promote studies that are far from the world of electricity, but which, nevertheless, are important to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. This is why we talk about a carbon neutral idea that aims to allow the combustion engine to stay with us for a few more years. And, despite the fact that the European Union does not make him too happy, he could achieve it.
It is a liquid fuel, similar with the difference that it does not come from fossil energy sources, but is obtained from a chemical process from hydrogen and the energy used to manufacture it is renewable. In this way, it is a 100% clean fuel.
An essential fuel that electric cannot give
Reducing pollution by 80%, this so-called ‘green hydrogen’ from this reaction combines with CO2 from the air to produce synthetic methanol, which is then converted into eFuel.
This means that it can become an essential fuel for other transport, which cannot be electric, such as planes or ships, since they require enormous autonomy that electrification cannot provide . If the aforementioned transports stop using traditional gasoline, using synthetic one, pollution is reduced to a minimum.
In this way, in addition, this synthetic gasoline has a higher energy density than the batteries used in electric cars, which it does because it does not reduce the autonomy of vehicles, planes, ships and trains. All with the advantage of being able to be transported safely and less complexly than hydrogen, for example, and stored for a long period of time.
All in all, there is a salvation for what is the combustion car, also because it will lead to the sustained use of advanced technology within internal combustion engines.
Currently, there are already brands and manufacturers that seek to enter this field, especially the Japanese , who give a pulse to electrification, such as Toyota, Subaru, Mazda, Yamaha and Kawasaki. There are also those of the Volkswagen group, such as Audi and Porsche, very interested in green fuels. The group is working on some of its four-cylinder engines to make them compatible with ecological diesel
