Stellantis said today it has determined that 24 engine families in European vehicles sold since 2014 are ready to use advanced drop-in eFuel without any powertrain modification, following months of testing at its technical centers across Europe. If accurate this means ~28 million vehicles on the road can become greener. The tests were conducted using substitute eFuels provided by Aramco, which is exploring development of low carbon eFuels as a way to potentially reduce carbon dioxide emissions from existing vehicles.*
Low carbon eFuel is a drop-in synthetic fuel made by reacting CO2, captured either directly from the atmosphere or from an industrial facility, with renewable hydrogen. The use of low carbon eFuel has the potential to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from existing internal combustion vehicles by at least 70% on a lifecycle basis, compared to conventional fuels its advocates claim.
“Our priority is providing zero-emission mobility for all with a focus on electrification, while our collaboration with Aramco is an important and complementary step in this journey for existing fleets on the road. We are exploring all solutions to reinforce our ambitious strategy of becoming a carbon net zero company by 2038. Drop-in eFuels can have a massive and almost immediate impact on reducing the CO2 emissions of the existing vehicle fleet, offering our customers an easy and economically efficient option to reduce their carbon footprint — one as simple as choosing a different fuel pump at the station, with no additional modification to their vehicles,” said Ned Curic, Stellantis Chief Engineering and Technology Officer. (AutoInformed: Stellantis Completes Symbio Hydrogen Purchase; Stellantis Posts Record Revenue and Profits for 2023 Half 1)
Stellantis estimates that the use of low carbon eFuels in 28 million of its European vehicles could reduce up to 400 million tons of CO2 in Europe between 2025 and 2050. Testing of the surrogate eFuels by Stellantis covered tailpipe emissions, startability, engine power, reliability endurance, oil dilution, fuel tank, fuel lines and filters, as well as fuel performance in extreme cold and hot temperatures.
Aramco is currently developing two demonstration plants to explore production of low-carbon synthetic fuels. In Saudi Arabia, Aramco and ENOWA (Neom Energy and Water Company) are attempting to demonstrate the production of synthetic gasoline for light-duty passenger vehicles. In Bilbao, Spain, Aramco and Repsol are exploring the production of low-carbon synthetic diesel and jet fuel for automobiles and aircraft.
Aramco is working with motorsport teams and competitions to further test and demonstrate the potential of low-carbon fuel to reduce carbon emissions from internal combustion engine vehicles.
*Saudi Arabian Oil Group, aka Aramco, is a publicly petroleum and natural gas company based in Dhahran. The Saudi government holds the largest stake. Aramco produces all of Saudi Arabia’s oil and gas. Aramco earnings increase ~ 47% as it made it made $161 billion in profits last year, from the prior year profits of $110 billion. It is known for achieving the highest corporate earnings annually.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Strange Green Bedfellows – Stellantis and Aramco
Stellantis said today it has determined that 24 engine families in European vehicles sold since 2014 are ready to use advanced drop-in eFuel without any powertrain modification, following months of testing at its technical centers across Europe. If accurate this means ~28 million vehicles on the road can become greener. The tests were conducted using substitute eFuels provided by Aramco, which is exploring development of low carbon eFuels as a way to potentially reduce carbon dioxide emissions from existing vehicles.*
Low carbon eFuel is a drop-in synthetic fuel made by reacting CO2, captured either directly from the atmosphere or from an industrial facility, with renewable hydrogen. The use of low carbon eFuel has the potential to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from existing internal combustion vehicles by at least 70% on a lifecycle basis, compared to conventional fuels its advocates claim.
“Our priority is providing zero-emission mobility for all with a focus on electrification, while our collaboration with Aramco is an important and complementary step in this journey for existing fleets on the road. We are exploring all solutions to reinforce our ambitious strategy of becoming a carbon net zero company by 2038. Drop-in eFuels can have a massive and almost immediate impact on reducing the CO2 emissions of the existing vehicle fleet, offering our customers an easy and economically efficient option to reduce their carbon footprint — one as simple as choosing a different fuel pump at the station, with no additional modification to their vehicles,” said Ned Curic, Stellantis Chief Engineering and Technology Officer. (AutoInformed: Stellantis Completes Symbio Hydrogen Purchase; Stellantis Posts Record Revenue and Profits for 2023 Half 1)
Stellantis estimates that the use of low carbon eFuels in 28 million of its European vehicles could reduce up to 400 million tons of CO2 in Europe between 2025 and 2050. Testing of the surrogate eFuels by Stellantis covered tailpipe emissions, startability, engine power, reliability endurance, oil dilution, fuel tank, fuel lines and filters, as well as fuel performance in extreme cold and hot temperatures.
Aramco is currently developing two demonstration plants to explore production of low-carbon synthetic fuels. In Saudi Arabia, Aramco and ENOWA (Neom Energy and Water Company) are attempting to demonstrate the production of synthetic gasoline for light-duty passenger vehicles. In Bilbao, Spain, Aramco and Repsol are exploring the production of low-carbon synthetic diesel and jet fuel for automobiles and aircraft.
Aramco is working with motorsport teams and competitions to further test and demonstrate the potential of low-carbon fuel to reduce carbon emissions from internal combustion engine vehicles.
*Saudi Arabian Oil Group, aka Aramco, is a publicly petroleum and natural gas company based in Dhahran. The Saudi government holds the largest stake. Aramco produces all of Saudi Arabia’s oil and gas. Aramco earnings increase ~ 47% as it made it made $161 billion in profits last year, from the prior year profits of $110 billion. It is known for achieving the highest corporate earnings annually.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.