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Porsche on Tuesday announced that a pilot plant in Chile, which the automaker helped fund, has come online and is producing an almost fully climate-neutral synthetic fuel. To mark the occasion, Porsche R&D chief Michael Steiner used the first gallons to fill a 911.

Although electric cars are growing in popularity, their internal-combustion counterparts are going to be around for years to come, especially in developing countries where electric infrastructure is lacking. One solution for dealing with the carbon emissions of internal-combustion engines is the use of carbon-neutral synthetic fuels, or eFuels—a name that's growing in popularity.

While CO2 is emitted when the fuel is burned, the generation of the fuel absorbs CO2 from the air. To make the fuel, electrical energy generated by a wind turbine is used to form hydrogen via electrolysis of water, essentially the reverse of what happens in a hydrogen fuel cell. The hydrogen is then combined with CO2 captured from the air, in a synthesis process that creates gasoline and liquefied gas.

The pilot plant is located in Punta Arenas, Chile, a site that experiences strong winds around 270 days a year and is also located close to major shipping routes. Operated by local firm HIF Global, which counts Porsche as an investor, the plant is slated to produce around 34,000 gallons of fuel per year initially and around 145 million gallons by about 2025. Porsche is also looking at establishing similar plants in other areas, including Australia and the U.S.

Haru Oni synthetic fuel pilot plant in Punta Arenas, Chile

 

The automaker previously estimated an 85% reduction in carbon emissions for synthetic fuels made with renewable energy, with lower "well to wheels" emissions than EVs, once emissions related to manufacturing are factored in.

Some environmental groups don't agree with these claims, however. European environmental group Transport & Environment has called synthetic fuels "a mirage." But while electrification may be the way forward for new road cars, synthetic fuel could find use in other modes of transportation, like air travel—and for keeping classic cars on the road.

The fuel will also be used in motorsports. Porsche is already testing synthetic fuel in its Supercup race series, in partnership with series sponsor ExxonMobil. Formula 1 is also working with Saudi Arabian oil giant Aramco to create synthetic fuel for use in F1 and eventually to be delivered to gas stations around the world.

“The potential of eFuels is huge. There are currently more than 1.3 billion vehicles with combustion engines worldwide. Many of these will be on the roads for decades to come, and eFuels offer the owners of existing cars a nearly carbon-neutral alternative,” Steiner said in a statement.

source: https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1135526_porsche-fills-911-with-first-drops-from-synthetic-fuel-plant

by Viknesh Vijayenthiran
http://www.boscheuropean.com

 

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BMW is working on a redesign for its 5-Series, and the latest prototype to be spotted is a wagon version of a planned electric i5 variant.

Likely to be called the i5 Touring (Touring is the name BMW uses for its wagons outside the U.S.), the electric wagon will be sold alongside a regular 5-Series Touring powered by gas and diesel engines. Don't look for either wagon to reach the U.S., as buyers here in need of cargo space mostly prefer SUVs.

The redesigned 5-Series is expected to debut next year as a 2024 model. The i5 should arrive at the same time, similar to how BMW launched its redesigned 2023 7-Series and its electric i7 variant together earlier this year.

2024 BMW i5 Touring spy shots - Photo credit: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien

 

Looking closely at the prototype, it becomes clear that the grille is sealed off. The tester also lacks exhaust tips, and there's no missing the warning stickers for the electrified powertrain on the flanks and rear. The side mirrors are also the more aerodynamic design used by BMW M, which suggests this particular tester is for a sporty M Performance model, similar to the 2023 i4 M50 and 2023 iX M60.

It isn't clear what specs the i5 will have, but the i4 comes with a 83.9-kwh battery and the i7 gets a 101.7-kwh battery. Both vehicles have a maximum range of around 300 miles.

We've also heard that the redesigned M5 will eventually have an electric version as an alternative to its standard V-8 plug-in hybrid powertrain. It's possible the electric M5 will also have a wagon variant. The electric M5 could use a four-motor powertrain, a setup BMW M engineers are testing.

 source: https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1138138_2024-bmw-i5-touring-spy-shots

by Viknesh Vijayenthiran
http://www.boscheuropean.com