This is the spark of hope internal combustion engines have been looking for.
Electrification is here, whether we like it or otherwise. On a larger scale, some countries have taken steps to increase demand for electric vehicles. All this in the hope of reducing harmful emissions and saving the planet. Europe is particularly strict in this area, with many countries vowing to ban the sale of non-electric vehicles within the next ten years.
However, internal combustion engines aren’t at the end of their road yet. During the launch of the new Porsche 911 GT3 model, Dr. Frank Walliser (Porsche’s Vice President Motorsport and GT Cars) shared his thoughts about the latest developments in Porsche’s synthetic fuel. Also known as eFuel.
Dr. Walliser believes that conventionally-fueled engines that use synthetic fuel will turn ICE-equipped cars into machines that are as clean as EVs. Dr. Walliser stated that Porsche should use eFuel to reduce their CO2 emissions. Synthetic fuels have fewer by-products, are cleaner and produce less NOx than current pump fuel.
You might be wondering how much CO2 has been reduced. Dr. Walliser stated that eFuel will be fully produced by Porsche when they achieve an 85 percent reduction in CO2.
Dr. Walliser concluded that “well to wheel” means the same amount of CO2 will be produced by electric vehicles when viewed from a perspective of the vehicle’s impact on the ground.
Porsche’s investment into synthetic fuels was first announced last year with the goal of saving old Porsches that are still in service. This is not just about saving classic cars. Dr. Walliser stated that all Porsche’s internal combustion engines, including the 911 GT3 of 992-generation, could be converted to eFuel with no modifications. Trials are expected to begin in 2022 by the German marque.