Given the current state of global warming and the strong collective beliefs of officials in high places, the beloved internal combustion engine’s end is fast approaching writes Ryan de Villiers.
With the tail end of a noisy, petrol-guzzling era upon us, the cherished ICE might soon be laid to rest, but there is hope. At the forefront of the research into e-fuel development is German automaker, Porsche, who recently announced that it is investing approximately R110 million into a holding company that develops synthetic fuels.
There’s a good chance for us petrolheads that synthetic fuels might be our knight in shining armour. For those who don’t know, synthetic fuels – also known as e-fuels – allow internal combustion engines to operate the same as they would using traditional fuels, but without the carbon emissions. Long story short, synthetic fuels are better for the environment, and we don’t have to sacrifice beloved exhaust notes to achieve carbon neutrality.
Porsche is investing in a company called HIF (Highly Innovative Fuels) Global LLC. The company is involved in the production of carbon-neutral fuels with the aim of decarbonising products. The Chile-based company is currently building an e-fuel pilot plant called the “Haru One”. These synthetic fuels will be produced using hydrogen and CO2 and production will subsist on wind energy. Production is scheduled to begin in mid-2022. In a similar vein, earlier this year Audi announced that some of its V6 petrol and diesel motors were suitable for e-fuel use. While synthetic fuels are still in their infancy phase, the potential is seemingly boundless.
Porsche has already seen some success with using e-fuels in their combustion-powered cars. The latest 718 GT4 RS models first appeared in Zell am See, Austria when participating in the GP Ice Race in February. The firm plans to implement the fuels produced from Chile in its motorsport cars. While there hasn’t been confirmation about widespread, readily available trademarked e-fuels supplied by Porsche, the firm’s future ICE cars may utilise e-fuels in their initial fueling at the factory.
Although the idea of pumps at petrol stations offering e-fuels within the next two years is a little far-fetched, the prospect of an alternative to full electrification is growing. For many automakers, 2030 is the deadline – and subsequently the imposed expiration date – for many combustion engines.
If Porsche and other diehard manufacturers can reliably produce these e-fuels soon, it could mean that we might be able to keep our jalopies and hoopties alive a little longer…
Words: Ryan de Villiers
