In the search for fuels that can be used in non-electrically powered cars, several interesting proposals are emerging, such as biofuels of various types. Now, synthetic fuel or e-fuel has been added to these , offering considerable advantages.
At Astara, we maintain a commitment to sustainability. That's why we provide expert advice on sustainable mobility while also investing practically in alternatives that seek to improve sustainability ratios. For example, in the recent 2023 and 2024 Dakar Championship, the Astara Team demonstrated, in addition to the talent of its drivers, what synthetic fuel is capable of achieving.
What is synthetic fuel?
To assess the potential of this alternative to traditional gasoline and diesel, it's important to understand what synthetic fuel is.
It is a product made from carbon dioxide (CO2) and renewable hydrogen .
Unlike fossil fuels, we rely on these two elements as raw materials here. Furthermore, due to the development process, e-fuels are categorized as carbon-neutral fuels .
How is synthetic fuel produced?
The synthetic fuel production process is a significant innovation in industrial terms and can become a key component of the circular economy now and in the future.
First, electricity from renewable sources is harnessed . It is used through a process of electrolysis, which separates oxygen and hydrogen particles from water. This gives rise to what has been dubbed "renewable hydrogen."
Additionally, carbon dioxide is captured from the air or directly from an industrial facility.
In a specifically designed treatment plant, renewable hydrogen and carbon dioxide are used to manufacture synthetic fuels with zero net emissions .
Advantages of synthetic fuel
The energy efficiency of the synthetic fuel production process seems to be the biggest advantage of this product, but in reality it offers many more.
Thanks to them, synthetic fuel is leading the way for sustainability in the automotive industry of the near future. We review them below:
The use of alternative and renewable raw materials represents a complete shift in the approach to decarbonizing mobility. It also represents an advantage over biofuels, which are produced from animal and plant waste.
It's also a carbon-neutral product . It does generate polluting emissions, albeit less than fossil fuels, but they represent the same amount of CO2 captured from the atmosphere during its production. Therefore, the emissions balance at the end of the process is zero.
A key advantage: they are compatible with existing vehicles . This means that the industrial vehicle production process would not have to be changed one bit for a new type of fuel. This significantly simplifies implementation and represents a significant cost savings that manufacturers and buyers greatly appreciate.
And what about its distribution? Well, it's liquid, meaning it's also compatible with current refueling infrastructure , which will speed up its installation at all existing stations.
When will it be possible to use synthetic fuel at gas stations?
The best thing about the theories surrounding synthetic gasoline and synthetic diesel is that they have far surpassed the theoretical stage and their practical use has now been confirmed.
So much so that some companies are beginning to incorporate it into their refueling station offerings , and the goal is to gradually use it at all available stations, eventually replacing traditional fuels completely (or almost completely).
The future of sustainable mobility thus presents the possibility for drivers to choose between electric, hybrid, biofuel-based, and synthetic fuel vehicles based on their preferences.
Synthetic fuel at the Dakar 2024
Professional motorsports is the perfect testing ground for all the industry's advancements, as it allows us to explore the limits of any development when subjected to the demands of these competitions.
One of the toughest at all levels is the Dakar , a challenge in terms of physical, mechanical and also performance, a factor in which synthetic fuel has demonstrated what it is capable of.
He did so with the Astara Team, a team participating in the Dakar and which we have sponsored since 2022.
In the 2024 edition , held in Saudi Arabia, the team has been formed around two vehicles driven by Laia Sanz and Patricia Pita , in the company of Mauricio Gerona and Paolo Boggio , with synthetic fuel to seek the best possible boost.
In the Dakar, every factor comes into play, and the innovation of this type of fuel has also helped Laia Sanz finish in the top 15 of this edition and on the podium in the final stage.
Of course, the driving we do daily on roads in and around today's cities is far from as demanding as the Dakar Rally. Therefore, synthetic fuel represents an even more promising proposition for the progressive decarbonization of the sector, compatible with current vehicles and a very positive contribution to sustainability.