Are eFuels a bridge technology to an electric future?

The innovation and development in the electric vehicle (EV) field is moving at a steady rate, with new technologies and optimisations being developed year by year. But even with this innovation, the approximately 1.4 billion combustion engine vehicles in use across the globe are still contributing significantly to CO2 emissions.

Various international regulations have been put in place that will ban combustion engines by as close as 2030. Until then, eFuels have been proposed as a sustainable alternative to crude-oil based fuels that exhibit similar features and (close to) carbon neutrality. But what exactly are eFuels, and what is their place in sustainable transportation?

What are eFuels?

eFuels are a synthetic alternative to their crude-oil based counterparts, and provide a nearly-net-neutral operation for combustion engines. They are produced via the binding of hydrogen from water and CO2 from the atmosphere using a high pressure catalyst. The result is a liquid or gaseous energy carrier that exhibits a similar energy density to crude-oil based fuels.

The electricity used during the catalysis process uses sustainable electricity as the principal power source. Because of this, the CO2 released by burning eFuels is counteracted by the CO2 that is captured during its production, making it nearly-net-neutral. As a result, this allows the physical transportation of renewable energy in the form of eFuel, which can potentially transcend just the combustion engine.

How do eFuels compare to electric vehicles?

One of the most significant challenges for electric vehicles (EVs) is the weight of batteries compared to their energy density/storage capacity. Lithium-ion battery packs that have a driving range of 100km can exceed 150kg, with the weight having an adverse impact on the aforementioned driving range and efficiency. Even though there are lightweight battery technologies, such as the Renault Zoe model 2017 with 41kWh at 26kg, weight is still a hurdle in the way of maximising the efficiency of EVs.

Charging efficiency is also a factor that EV designers are trying to optimise via technologies like Megawatt Charging Systems (MCS). This is because charging time negatively affects the efficiency of electrified fleets, and requires many EVs to be charged overnight to ensure maximised range. Not only does this require dedicated infrastructure, but can put off many businesses and citizens from making the transition to sustainable transportation.

eFuels operate almost identically to typical combustion fuels. They have a similar energy density, weigh the same as traditional fuel and can be used at dedicated stations in the same fashion. This results in an (almost) net-zero transportation solution that is free of the challenges faced by EVs. Additionally, eFuels have application potential beyond that of land transportation, and can be used in aviation where electrification is yet to flourish due to its weight and capacity restraints.

What are the challenges of eFuel?

Where eFuels are presented as a practical solution for sustainable transportation, its production poses a number of challenges that diminishes its potential for mass application.

• Expensive production – The production of eFuels using the various methods available is currently more expensive than fossil fuels, resulting in a cost of approximately €4.50/litre for diesel equivalent eFuel. This makes commercial scale quite difficult at the current time, but innovation and technology could reduce this cost in years to come.
• High power consumption – At each stage of eFuel production, great amounts of energy are consumed; Carbon capture facilities, binding and catalyst machines and production plants all require vast amounts of power. Even though this energy often comes primarily from renewable sources, it could otherwise be used for more sustainable operations.
• Renewable efficiency loss – Due to the high costs and power consumption of eFuel production, they face an extremely high renewable efficiency loss when compared to EV development and manufacturing. At the stage of eFuels being burned in a combustion engine, approximately 70% of the renewable efficiency is lost. Comparatively, EVs have an approximate efficiency loss of 20% when on the road.

Do eFuels have a place in sustainable transportation?

Like with EV technology, eFuels pose a range of sustainable benefits that are hindered by a number of challenges and hurdles. That said, they do have a place in the decarbonisation of current combustion engine vehicles before the ban in 2035. eFuels can help bridge the gap from combustion to full electrification by providing a nearly-carbon-neutral alternative for combustion engines. It may not see widespread adoption, but for applications such as aviation and certain commercial sectors, the environmental benefits it brings cannot be ignored.

Porsche is one company that is investing in eFuels to bring carbon neutrality to the current 1.4 billion combustion engine vehicles on the road. They have built their own eFuel ‘Haru Oni’ pilot plant in Punta Arenas, Chile to harness both solar and wind energy for production. Yes, eFuels probably won’t replace EVs in terms of the sustainable future of travel, but can play a significant role towards low carbon transition.

Be prepared for an electric future with Dalroad

It is difficult to tell where eFuel will sit in a sustainable world in the coming years, but we can be certain that EV technology will continue to innovate and sit in the limelight. Engineers and designers are continuing to innovate and develop exciting new technologies for passenger and commercial electrification alike, with many more likely to come in the next decade.

At Dalroad, we provide expert advice from experienced engineers to ensure your EV projects are future-proof in a continuously innovative industry. Contact us today to find out how we can optimise your designs with a world of components that are up-to-date and high-quality.