Fuels: The CO2-free way to the future
EASY FUELING AND DRIVING Racing vehicles and classic cars can be operated with synthetic fuels with low CO2 emissions. Experts presented interesting perspectives at a workshop held at Hotz Racing AG.
At the IgFS workshop (Interessengemeinschaft Fahrzeugrestauratoren Schweiz) in Sulgen, host and ex-racing driver Markus Hotz welcomed more than 50 guests from specialist classic car workshops throughout Switzerland. Under the title "Fuels of the Future," he reported on his forays in this field.
Premiere at the Oberhallau hill climb
Synthetic gasoline, made from renewable, biogenic materials, was used for the first time in August at the Oberhallau hill climb.
Race drivers Marcel Fässler, Beni Hotz and Neel Jani had shown in demo runs with racing cars that the synthetic fuel can be used without any problems and without mechanical modifications to the engine. But according to Hotz, the so-called drop-in fuel also works perfectly in normal road vehicles.
Project group with recognized experts
The new fuel used complies with the applicable standards, has an octane rating of 97.8, is around 85 percent CO2-neutral and can be used without the need for new filling station infrastructure. The same is true of the e-fuels, which will be available on a limited basis from 2025 and will be produced from hydrogen and CO2 using green electricity. "We don't just want to talk, we want to do something," said Hotz, confirming the intentions of the project group, which includes engine builder Mario Illien and carmaker founder Fredy Lienhard.
Synthetic production of fuels
The synthetic production of methanol-based fuels offers similar advantages. Sustainably produced from CO2, water and green electricity, this material is a new energy source for the entire energy cycle, described Albert Vollmer of Silent-Power AG, Cham.
Albert Vollmer: "Compared to hydrogen, methanol's storage is simple and much cheaper, which is one of its major advantages. Boilers and even gasoline engines could be powered in a climate-neutral way. The first products, such as a range extender for electric vehicles, are under development."
