Audi Plans To Produce 'Nearly Carbon Neutral' Synthetic Diesel

While cars are almost certain to switch wholesale to electricity, Audi is looking at solutions for larger, longer-range vehicles that might still need to use combustion... and the predictions are interesting
Audi Plans To Produce 'Nearly Carbon Neutral' Synthetic Diesel

Audi is stepping up its efforts to produce synthetic diesel from renewable energy. The process could, Audi says, bring combustion-engined cars to near carbon-neutral status.

That could, in turn, mean that buses, coaches and HGVs could continue to operate combustion engines for longer journeys. Other car makers are finding alternative solutions for these vehicles, like hydrogen fuel cells and Tesla’s battery-powered idea, but Audi’s suggestion requires the least change from the current status quo.

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The idea is that surplus hydropower is converted into synthetic fuel by means of electrolysis, hydrogen extraction and then combining the hydrogen with carbon dioxide that would otherwise contribute to global warming. That creates wee beasties called long-chain hydrocarbons that can then be separated into Audi e-diesel and waxes, which can be sold on and/or used in other areas of industry.

Audi is planning a facility in Laufenburg, Germany, to make this happen. Two partner companies are working with it: Ineratec GmbH and Energiedienst Holding AG. The partners hope to be making e-diesel next year, with construction on the plant starting within months if permission is granted by the authorities.

The A3 g-tron runs on synthetic gas
The A3 g-tron runs on synthetic gas

It will eventually be able to produce around 400,000 litres per year; enough to fill a mid-sized car from dry over 7250 times. At 50mpg, that’s a range of over 4.4 million driving miles.

Audi already has a plant in Dresden that is exploring the same principle using different technologies and a different partner, sunfire. It also produces gas – synthetic methane – for the A3, A4 and A5 g-tron.

Comments

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ahem
diesel gate intensifies

11/08/2017 - 13:17 |
2 | 18
TheRealBouss
11/08/2017 - 13:18 |
28 | 0
Nishant Dash

The thing that most people don’t know is that diesels actually produce less CO2 than petrols, however it’s their NOx emissions that are more harmful. So if we can develop a better catalyst (than Pt, Pd, Ni, etc) we can actually make diesels more efficient, and eco-friendly than petrols. Also all that added torque is great for city purposes…

11/08/2017 - 13:19 |
58 | 0

but they don’t rev.
And with a super-catalyst, they wouldn’t sound good.
But I guess it’s still better than electric.

11/08/2017 - 13:45 |
6 | 2

nissan has a zero emissions diesel in the nissan titan

11/09/2017 - 00:29 |
0 | 0

Nailed it!

11/09/2017 - 04:42 |
0 | 0
Ali Mahfooz

Rest of the world: We’ll stop the production of combustion engines by 20XX and move to a more sustainable electric car future.
Germany and Japan: Let’s improve the effeciency of diesel and petrol combustion engine.

Seems like the dieselgate had little effect on VW group or Mazda as they keep rolling out more and more efficient combustion engine technology. These companies are like a tough guy with a meditating body and mind… no matter how much you punch him, he’ll get back on his feet and walk his merry way 😅. I really hope these companies pull off what they’re trying to achieve. 👍👏

11/08/2017 - 13:21 |
210 | 2

They have anything but a pea brain believe me. Any company that developed the software that helped them cheat emission tests back in 1994 is not exactly dumb by my standards.

This is definitely more a move made in hope to hold afloat the viability of diesel in the politicians’ eyes, who recently have really big doubts about the future of diesel for reasons that we all know well. The Germans, who have since ever heavily invested in diesel (and are clearly behind in electric, mind you) will do everything to keep diesel alive

11/08/2017 - 14:22 |
20 | 2

America: Let’s lower our emission controls and allow coal rolling.

11/09/2017 - 01:58 |
10 | 0
V-Tech and EcoBoost kicked in yo

In reply to by Ali Mahfooz

Also Germany: Let’s forget Formula 1/LeMans and focus on Formula E.

11/09/2017 - 04:29 |
2 | 2
Aaron Dawson

Somehow governments will find out a way to tax this too

11/08/2017 - 13:22 |
32 | 0
Anonymous

Anything is good as long as it’s not electric.

11/08/2017 - 13:22 |
14 | 4
3Fiddy (JDM Squad) (SAAB Squad) (S-Chassis squad)

Mazda and Audi are da real MVP!

11/08/2017 - 13:25 |
16 | 0
Anonymous

“Why aren’t we funding this? “ meme

11/08/2017 - 13:45 |
24 | 0
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

really, it’s a great idea- save ICE by making fuel more eco-friendly to satisfy the eco-fascists(some people in my country call them that)

11/08/2017 - 13:47 |
12 | 0
Roadster / Tail Red

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

11/08/2017 - 14:51 |
10 | 0
Anonymous

[DELETED]

11/08/2017 - 14:32 |
0 | 8
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

QianLi

11/08/2017 - 15:13 |
2 | 0
Klush

[DELETED]

11/08/2017 - 14:42 |
0 | 0

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