How Porsche Is Breaking Bad With The Development Of Synthetic Fuel

Summary

• Porsche is developing eFuels, a type of synthetic fuel produced from renewable energy sources, as an alternative to gas-powered cars.
• These eFuels are nearly carbon-neutral and can be used interchangeably with traditional gasoline in combustion engines.
• Porsche plans to use eFuels not only in their own vehicles but also in planes, shipping trucks, and boats, with the goal of reducing carbon emissions across various modes of transportation.

Porsche has shocked many people over the last few years with its shift toward electrification, new releases, and now, synthetic fuel. Porsche has been developing eFuels for quite some time, essentially building the perfect “alternative” to gas-powered cars without losing the ever-loved sexy Porsche effect.

Porsche Synthetic Fuel, also known as eFuels, is a type of synthetic fuel produced from renewable energy sources. It is designed to be nearly carbon-neutral, made from carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen using renewable energy. The European carmaker has since opened a plant to produce eFuels specifically in South America, promising ~130,000 liters (~34,342 gallons) of the synthetic fuel per year. This began in 2022 and has only ramped up into 2023 and 2024.

These fuels are also close to traditional gas in many ways; more specifically, common fossil fuels like kerosene, diesel, or petrol are produced from crude oil. Porsche created eFuels to combat the climate crisis, all while opting for a more traditional route to clean energy. The company also has larger plans involving the global shipping demand, so eFuels are the future of transport. This article will dive deeper into what exactly this means for Porsche and you as a driver, so stay tuned.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Porsche and other authoritative sources, including Car and Driver, CNBC, and other reliable outlets.

Not Quite Electric: Porsche Is Making “eFuels”

Although we’re seeing Porsche take an electric approach to manufacturing in 2024, the brand has also been perfecting its eFuel lineup. This essentially works as an alternative to gas and electric by combining the two for a somewhat technical fuel-powered driving experience.

Porsche’s “eFuels” are created using renewable energy, such as wind and solar power, to generate hydrogen from water through electrolysis. Carbon is captured from the environment, paired with hydrogen, and used to create synthetic fuels, mainly eMethanol and synthetic petrol, through processes like Methanol synthesis and Methanol-to-Gasoline (MtG) synthesis.

Although this sounds like a whacky science experiment, Porsche has stated it plans to fully release this technology for its drivers in the coming years, essentially removing any need for gasoline from its lineup.

• Porsche eFuels: Hydrogen and carbon dioxide react to produce synthetic fuels, like eMethanol and synthetic petrol.

It Works Like Fuel But Without The Emissions

What makes Porsche eFuels so unique is how they work and are sourced. As we mentioned above, Porsche captures carbon dioxide from the sky, mixes it with hydrogen, and produces synthetic fuels, such as eMethanol and synthetic petrol.

These work identically to fuel you’d find at a gas pump, although without having to rely on a fossil resource OR create emissions once you pull off in your car. By using these synthetic fuels in combustion engines, Porsche would make a groundbreaking advancement in the fight for renewable, clean energy.

Many brands, including GM and Honda, have also been honing in on hydrogen power and development. The Toyota Mirai is one of the first-ever hydrogen-powered models, so this is a pretty untapped source of potential for luxury brands like Porsche.

Porsche Hopes To Redistribute Clean Driving

A huge part of Porsche’s current mission is to offer more people an alternative to gas-powered driving. With eFuels, you see an option to drive a traditional Porsche model, all without using fossil fuels or creating carbon emissions when you hit the gas pedal.

This is a part of the redistribution policy of the brand’s eco-friendly vehicles and products, all thanks to a bit of scientific research and testing. Through strategic partnerships with companies including HIF Global, Siemens Energy, ExxonMobil, and other international brands, Porsche’s broader strategy is to pioneer the gas-free driving experience of the modern consumer. Hydrogen is the future of many EVs, and thanks to Porsche: ICEs.

• Porsche’s mission: Porsche plans to use eFuels as a way to give the everyday driver a chance at cleaner, emission-free driving.

eFuels share fundamental properties with traditional fossil fuels like kerosene, diesel, or petrol produced from crude oil. This allows them to be swapped into engines in lieu of actual gas.

Porsche Has Already Built An eFuel Plant In Chile

Something worth covering is that Porsche has already invested in a plant to produce eFuels in Punta Arenas, Chile. Because of the abundance of carbon and access to natural resources, Porsche made the executive decision to put its feet down in the South American country and get started on producing this newest clean fuel. Again, Porsche has continued to insist that this decision to move from Europe to South America for eFuel production is solely based on environmental conditions and advantages in the latter area.

Any Car With A Gas Tank Could Use eFuels

Porsche has mentioned that one of the biggest advantages of eFuels is that Porsche drivers with gas vehicles can enjoy them. Because these synthetic fuels work like a fossil fuel does, you can interchange them to power your car’s engine. Porsche Synthetic Fuel, or eFuels, is intended for use in combustion engine vehicles: Not EVs, not PHEVs. Porsche, being a sports car manufacturer, plans to use eFuels in its own combustion-engined models. You will get to experience the same thrill of ICE driving, all while producing the emissions of an EV: So none.

• Porsche eFuels work in gas models: These synthetic fuels would work similarly to traditional gasoline for your Porsche’s engine.

Porsche Is Literally Turning Water To Liquid Gold

As part of Porsche’s multi-hundred million dollar investment into clean, renewable energy sources, eFuels are a huge beneficiary of the brand’s current eco-strategy. You saw Porsche put over $100 million into eFuel development last year, as well as build a plant to produce it at lower costs. When any company invests those types of figures into a project, that means it is likely to come to the public sooner rather than later. eFuel is the new liquid gold for Porsche.

If Anyone Can Transition Race Cars Off Traditional Gasoline, It’s Porsche

When all is said and done, Porsche bringing a fuel alternative to the auto market will be revolutionary. The European sportscar company has always been miles ahead, but with this green technology: It may monopolize the space. Another Easter egg we caught while reading through Porsche press postings is that the brand doesn’t plan to stop at cars.

eFuel will soon power planes, shipping trucks, boats, and whatever else the brand can extend to. Through a partnership with HIF Global, this automaker is extending its reach far beyond the current scope of EVs, PHEVs, and ICEs. You also want to remember that transporting the Chilean-produced eFuels throughout North America and back to Europe may be easier for the brand to start.

Through partnerships outside of Porsche and in the broader shipping chain, Porsche plans to utilize its eFuel technology to transport its own vehicles between continents, as well as others. This could become a much larger business for Porsche, hence the large investment from them.

Once this eFuel concept gets off the ground and is released at a mass scale through distribution networks, expect plenty of plants and fewer emissions.

• Porsche’s global takeover: Porsche has plans to use and distribute eFuels far beyond its cars. This renewable resource is said to be capable of powering cargo vehicles, planes, and even ships.

Expect eFuels To Hit The Market On A Large Scale By Next Decade

Porsche has already begun using its eFuels to power its motorsport division and events, although it won’t likely make eFuels largely accessible for a few more years. It is confirmed by Porsche that its current Chilean plant can produce 130,000 liters of eFuels per year and began official production in mid-2022. This is being used as the testing period for Porsche before anything at a broader scale is allowed to commence. Again, there are a lot of moving parts in this effort to rid the world of carbon dioxide, so Porsche is choosing to play the long, not short, route.