The oil super major ExxonMobil and automaker Porsche are collaborating on a series of tests of a low-carbon fuels in racing conditions. Results would expand the potential of this solutions for future customer adoption.
Firstly, the fuel to be tested would be Esso’s Renewable Racing Fuel, a blend of primarily advanced biofuels, developed by ExxonMobil’s scientists and engineers. According to the statement, the fuel has a strong potential for greenhouse gas emissions reduction.
Secondly, tests would take place during the Porsche and Exxon Supercup Race Series 2021. The collaboration will also include eFuels, which are synthetic fuels made from hydrogen and captured carbon dioxide. Tests for this kind of fuel would start as early as 2022.
Thirdly, eFueld would be the second dispatch of Esso Renewable Racing Fuel, and the companies anticipate it would achieve a GHG emissions reduction of up to 85 per cent.
Moreover, the eFuel will be developed in the Haru Oni polit plat located in Chile. This plant generates hydrogen and then combines it with sequestrated carbon dioxide to produce methanol. Then, ExxonMobil will provide a license for the proprietary technology to convert the methanol to gasoline; which will result in the lower-carbon fuel.
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Porsche advancing the electrification of their vehicles
In addition, this pilot phase will develop 35,000 gallons of eFuels, which will be terminated by 2022. However, the first on-track-testing of the Esso Renewable Racing Fuel is scheduled for March 30, 2021 in Zandvoort, Netherlands. It will continue throughout 2021 and 2022 in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup race series.
On the other hand, Michael Steiner, Member of the Executive Board, Research and Development of Porsche, said. “The electrification of our vehicles is of highest priority to us. Consequently, eFuels are a good complement to our powertrain strategy. They allow our customers to drive cars with conventional combustion engines as well as plug-in hybrids with significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions.”
He also added: “The collaboration with ExxonMobil enables us to test the eFuels under demanding conditions on the racing track. This is a further step towards making eFuels an affordable and lower greenhouse gas emission substitute to conventional fuels.”
Finally, Andy Madden, vice president of strategy and planning for ExxonMobil Fuels & Lubricants, stated. “Our continued collaboration on renewable and eFuels is a critical step in assessing the technical capability and commercial viability of fuels that can significantly reduce emissions.”
