Introduction

The use of e-fuels as an alternative source of energy is seen by some as a way to “have our cake and eat it”, when it comes to sustainable transport.

E-fuels, or synthetic fuels, are produced using renewable energy sources such as wind or solar power to create hydrogen or other gases, which are then converted into liquid fuels, and their proponents (mostly the fossil fuel industry and their paid lobbyists), argue that they offer a cleaner and more sustainable solution to our energy needs, while also reducing our reliance on fossil fuels.

Despite these perceived benefits, there are several downsides associated with e-fuels, such as:

• High production costs
• Significant and in-built inefficiencies that can’t be removed with “better tech”, because they’re fundamental problems/issues due to the nature of burning fuel to create motion
• Massive increase in the amount of land required to produce e-Fuels from renewable energy sources

Imogen Bhogal, from The Full-Charged Show does a superb job of spelling this out – so let’s take a look.

Why E-fuels for land transport are a Bad Idea (according to Fully Charged)

Limited By the Laws of Physics

The single biggest and in-grained issue with E-fuels, according to  Imogen, is that the process of creating e-fuels is inherently inefficient – and, at the moment, also expensive. This means that e-fuels are not economically competitive with traditional fossil fuels, making it difficult for them to gain widespread adoption.

Even if improvements can be made to make e-fuels more economically viable, for most land transport use-cases, it’s just a really bad idea to even make them in the first place.

Why? Mostly this: internal combustion engines have a round-trip efficiency of less than 30% – EV’s on the other hand, have a round-trip efficiency of around 85%.

Too Many Steps in the Process

But it gets worse: to actually create e-Fuels in the first place, you have to take electricity generated from the Sun or wind, then use it to break water apart into Hydrogen gas (a key component of E-Fuels), then use more energy still to turn it into a “renewable” hydrocarbon that can then be used in a vehicle.

At every stage of this process, instead of just storing the electricity in a battery and then using it to turn a motor, you have to have at least 2 more intermediate steps – making the overall efficiency of the whole system a very poor second best to what we already see working well with EV’s

Environmental Impact

Environmental impact is a significant concern when considering the feasibility of implementing e-fuels as an alternative energy source. While e-fuels may seem like a promising solution to reduce carbon emissions, they still produce CO2 during the production process. In fact, as we’ve just spelled out, the entire process of creating e-fuels, from sourcing raw materials to refining and transporting, requires a significant amount of energy and resources. This means that e-fuels are not a sustainable solution in the long run, especially when considering the increasing demand for energy in our modern world.

Alternative Solutions

One potential approach to address the challenge of carbon emissions is to focus on developing more sustainable and efficient renewable energy sources. The growing concern over climate change and global warming has pushed governments and private organizations to invest in carbon-neutral initiatives.

Renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal power, have been identified as viable alternatives to fossil fuels. These energy sources are abundant, widely available, and have significantly lower carbon footprints compared to traditional energy sources.

Renewable energy sources not only offer a more sustainable and environmentally friendly solution, but they also have the potential to revolutionize the energy industry. The development of renewable energy sources can lead to reduced energy costs, increased energy independence, and job creation in the renewable energy sector.

While there are still challenges to be addressed in the widespread adoption of renewable energy sources, such as storage and distribution, investing in these technologies is a critical step towards a more sustainable future, and in our opinion this where humanity stands the best chance of successfully de-carbonising and creating a sustainable economy.

Key Takeaways

• E-fuels face challenges such as technological limitations, high production costs, and potential negative environmental impacts.
• Current technology for e-fuels is inefficient and expensive, and improvements are needed to make them more economically viable, including reducing the cost of renewable energy and improving the efficiency of converting carbon dioxide into synthetic fuels. Even then, they should only be really used for shipping and long-haul flights/space exploration
• E-fuels still produce CO2 during the production process, making them unsustainable in the long run.
• Renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal power, offer a more sustainable and environmentally friendly solution to address carbon emissions, and investing in renewable energy can lead to reduced energy costs, increased energy independence, and job creation in the renewable energy sector.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do e-fuels compare to other renewable energy sources in terms of efficiency and scalability?

Efficiency vs. cost is a crucial aspect in analyzing e-fuels as a viable renewable energy source. E-fuels have the potential to significantly reduce carbon emissions in transportation, but the production of e-fuels is energy-intensive and expensive.

In comparison to other renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, e-fuels have lower efficiency levels and are more costly to produce.

Although e-fuels may provide a solution to reduce carbon emissions in transportation, the cost and efficiency barriers currently make it an unsustainable option, except in the cases where very significant loads need to be transported (ie 100’s or 1000’s of tonnes).

Are there any potential risks associated with the production or use of e-fuels?

The production and use of e-fuels do come with potential risks and environmental impact.

In terms of production risks, e-fuels require large amounts of energy and resources to produce, which could lead to increased carbon emissions and environmental degradation.

Additionally, the production process involves the use of toxic chemicals and hazardous materials, which could pose health risks to workers and nearby communities.

The environmental impact of e-fuels also includes the potential for land-use change and deforestation, as well as the release of pollutants during combustion.

These risks and impacts must be carefully considered and addressed in the development and implementation of e-fuels as a potential alternative energy source.

What is the current state of government policies and regulations regarding e-fuels?

The current state of government policies and regulations regarding e-fuels adoption is mixed: some countries have taken steps to encourage the use of e-fuels by providing subsidies and incentives for their production and use. For instance, Germany has introduced a program that supports the production of e-fuels as part of its efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

On the other hand, other countries have been slow to adopt e-fuels due to concerns about their high cost and potential environmental impacts. In addition, the lack of a clear regulatory framework for e-fuels has made it difficult for companies to invest in their production and use.

Lobbying by the fossil fuel industry has, unfortunately been partly successful in influencing policy, potentially slowing the progress of a society that can move beyond Net Zero.

How do e-fuels compare to traditional fossil fuels in terms of cost and availability?

In terms of cost effectiveness, e-fuels are currently more expensive than traditional fossil fuels due to the high cost of production and the lack of infrastructure development.

The production of e-fuels requires a significant amount of energy and resources, which drives up the cost. Additionally, the infrastructure needed to produce, transport, and distribute e-fuels is not yet widely available, which further increases the cost.

What are e-fuels?

E-fuels are fuels made from a combination of hydrogen and carbon dioxide. They can be used in conventional engines without modification.

Are e-fuels climate-friendly?

While proponents claim e-fuels are carbon neutral, their production process involves carbon capture and electrolysis, both of which have limitations and inefficiencies. The CO2 released at the tailpipe raises concerns about their environmental impact.

How do e-fuels compare to electric vehicles (EVs)?

E-fuels require approximately five times more electricity than EVs, making them less energy-efficient. Investing in e-fuels could hinder the economies of scale needed to bring down the cost of EVs.

Who is pushing for e-fuels?

Oil companies and some automotive companies, concerned about the shift towards EVs, have been lobbying for e-fuels. Luxury car brands, seeking alternatives to EVs due to perceived drawbacks, have also shown interest.

Are electric vehicles a better alternative?

Imogen argues (and we agree!) that EVs are a more sustainable choice for road transport. They utilize renewable electricity, have higher energy conversion rates, and can benefit from advancements in battery technology and recycling.