In order to meet the growing demand for eco-friendly or green cars, Audi, the German luxury carmaker, has invented a carbon-neutral diesel fuel, made from water, carbon dioxide. Named Audi e-diesel, the eco-friendly fuel doesn’t require the use of any standard mineral oil.
The creation of the fuel is a huge step forward for sustainable transport. Audi has now set up a pilot plant in Dresden, Germany, operated by clean tech company Sunfire, which will pump out 160 litres of the synthetic diesel every day in the coming months.
The e-diesel, which they’re calling ‘blue crude’ is created using a three-step process. The first step involves harvesting renewable energy from sources such as wind, solar and hydropower. They then use this energy to split water into oxygen and pure hydrogen, using a process known as reversible electrolysis.
This hydrogen is then mixed with carbon monoxide (CO), which is created from carbon dioxide (CO2) that’s been harvested from the atmosphere. The two react at high temperatures and under pressure, resulting in the production of the long-chain hydrocarbon compounds that make up the blue crude.
Once it’s been refined, the resulting e-diesel can be mixed in with our current diesel fuel, or used on its own to power cars in a more sustainable way.
Sunfire analyses have shown that the synthetic fuel is not only more environmentally friendly, but also has superior combustion when compared to fossil fuels. The overall energy efficiency of the e-diesel is 70%.
According to Sunfire Chief Technology Officer Christian von Olshausen, the engine runs quieter and fewer pollutants are being created with the use of ‘blue crude’.
With the initial factory only pumping out around 160 litres each day, the fuel isn’t going to have a huge impact on the market for now. But Audi and Sunfire now want to build a bigger factory, and anticipate that once production is scaled up, the e-diesel will sell to the public for between 1 and 1.50 Euros per liter, dependent on the cost of renewable electricity.
The upcoming Audi car models are likely to get the new, fuel efficient and eco-friendly e-diesel. It is quite early to comment whether Audi cars in India will get this fuel or not.
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