E-fuels: Can classics tolerate the alternative?
AMAG AND EMPA Synthetic fuels can make a contribution to achieving climate targets. In a joint project with Empa, Amag is testing Classic e-Fuels in selected vehicles in real-world operation.
For the existing fleet and thus also for all historic vehicles, synthetic fuels made from regeneratively produced hydrogen and carbon dioxide are the obvious solution to CO2-reduction. An investigation by Empa in collaboration with the Amag Group will now show whether old vehicle technology and new fuels are compatible.
In various test series, the compatibility of synthetic fuels with the materials and components is being investigated on the one hand, and on the other hand the behavior of the old engines when e-fuels are used, as well as exhaust emissions. Experts at Amag Classic in Schinznach-Bad are currently testing such fuels in selected vehicles.
New methods in research
Christian Bach, head of the Vehicle Propulsion Systems department at Empa, who is responsible for the studies, says: "In theory, there is nothing to prevent older cars from being able to run on the new fuel in the long term, and the initial results support this hypothesis. But without clean clarifications on this, hardly any collector would use synthetic fuels in the sometimes expensive vehicles. We are researching new processes for the production of synthetic energy sources and fuels."
Hope of the classic car owners
Real operation with classic cars means that the vehicles are driven once and then put away again until the next time they are moved again in good weather. This irregular operation has different effects on the individual components than daily use. The test series is intended to show whether the hopes of classic car owners are fulfilled that in the future they will also be able to emit CO2-to be on the road.
Reduction of emissions of CO2
Helmut Ruhl, CEO of the Amag Group: "Synthetic fuel is the solution for moving not only the normal existing fleet but also the cultural asset classic cars with a clear conscience in the future. With 1.3 billion combustion engine cars worldwide, this technology can make a relevant contribution to reducing CO2-emissions. That's why Amag has taken a stake in the Swiss company Synhelion, which plans to produce Solarfuel in industrial quantities from 2025."
