For the first time in two years, new registrations of electric cars are falling again. Experts have been calling for a long time not to rely solely on Stromer when it comes to reducing CO2 emissions. With a new type of climate fuel, even vintage cars can radically reduce their emissions.
At the revival of the Olympic Rally, the ADAC showed that a classic car can be operated CO2-neutrally with a synthetically produced fuel. “In the future, classic car drivers can actively contribute to climate protection by using e-fuels,” says Sport President Dr. Gerd Ennser on the use of a VW T 1 (Type 23 station wagon) from 1964.
A first test for the air-cooled four-cylinder boxer of the Volkswagen with a synthetic fuel was the “ADAC Germany Classic” in mid-July in the Palatinate. “During the classic car tour, the CO2-neutral VW Bulli was successfully used over more than 220 kilometers and ran perfectly,” says ADAC board member Lars Soutschka.
The automobile club is also a member of the e-Fuel Alliance, an interest group dedicated to the industrial production of synthetic liquid fuels from renewable energies. These include sole proprietorships, associations, employee and employer representatives, and individuals from the mineral oil trade and the mineral oil industry, the automotive and automotive supplier industry, mechanical and plant engineering, research and science, the aviation and maritime sectors, the chemical industry, and others the field of energy production and generation. E-fuels are artificial fuels that are generated with electricity from renewable energies and are therefore significantly lower in CO2 emissions than normal petrol – ideally even climate-neutral.
Up to 70 percent of Russia’s crude oil imports could be replaced by alternative fuels by 2030 to free itself from dependence on imported energy. At least that’s what the E-Fuel Alliance interest group assumes.
“ E-fuels can be produced where the climatic and geographic conditions enable cost-effective production and where there is no competition for use. The effectiveness of wind turbines in Patagonia and in Germany, for example, differs fourfold,” the association said in a statement. In addition to mineral oil companies, the association also includes the car manufacturer Mazda, Siemens Energy, Bosch and startups such as Synhelion. Porsche produces the fuel in Patagonia in a test facility.
In principle, all combustion engines could fill up with climate fuel, whether new cars, used cars or vintage cars. According to the E-Fuel Alliance, large quantities of the new climate fuels would be available “at affordable prices” as early as 2025 if politicians were to create the appropriate framework conditions for them.
The German Ministry of the Environment, in particular, has so far blocked alternative fuels because instead it relies entirely on electric cars and a significant reduction in private transport. However, since e-mobility is not picking up to the extent that the EU plans envisage – recently the number of registrations on average in the EU has even fallen again – experts assume that without e-fuels the climate goals in transport cannot be achieved at all.
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However, it remains unclear whether and when climate fuel will be available in relevant quantities and what it will ultimately cost drivers (read more on this topic here). After all, there is a great willingness among car buyers to use eco-fuels. In a survey, 79 percent of respondents said they would fill up with synthetic fuels.
With their approval of climate fuel for their engines, car manufacturers such as Audi are signaling that this supplement to electromobility would not fail, at least because of them. However, most companies, especially Volkswagen, are planning almost exclusively electric cars for the European market in the future. It is unclear whether this will change under the new VW boss Oliver Blume, who follows the failed Herbert Diess. At least Porsche has been committed to e-fuels for years and is committed to not offering some models like the Porsche 911 solely as electric cars in the future.
Another option is alternative fuels made from residues, such as HVO diesel. An already available HVO diesel is the fuel “FuelMotion Diesel H”. It is based on residual cooking fats and oils; according to the manufacturer without the use of palm oil. Another advantage of the fuel: In terms of the CO2 balance, it reduces engine emissions by 90 percent and also produces fewer nitrogen oxides.
On our e-mobility portal EFAHRER.com you will find all e-vehicles available on the German market
You can also arrange a test drive for the car of your choice free of charge and thus start e-mobility in an uncomplicated manner.
