Synthetic eFuels are created by combining hydrogen from water with carbon dioxide captured from the air, offering a fossil-free alternative for transportation sectors that can’t easily transition to batteries. Companies like are pioneering this technology, though challenges remain in scaling production economically.
### Production Process
1. : Electrolysis splits water (H₂O) into hydrogen (H₂) and oxygen using renewable energy. For example, Zero Petroleum’s process requires per liter of eFuel[1].
2. : Direct air capture systems filter CO₂ from the atmosphere. Producing 1 liter of eFuel requires to extract enough CO₂[1].
3. : Hydrogen and CO₂ are combined via methods like or Zero’s proprietary process to create liquid fuels (gasoline, diesel, jet fuel)[7][8].
### Economic Viability
– : eFuel production remains energy-intensive, with high electricity demands driving costs above fossil fuels[4].
– : Zero Petroleum opened its first synthetic fuel plant in 2023 (Plant Zero.1) and aims for commercial-scale production by 2025[5]. The EU’s ReFuelEU mandate—requiring 35% synthetic aviation fuels by 2050—could accelerate adoption[5].
– : Converting renewable energy to eFuels loses ~50% of the input energy, making them less efficient than direct battery use[4]. However, they’re critical for hard-to-electrify sectors like aviation.
### Key Players
– : Co-founded by F1 engineer Paddy Lowe, the company holds Guinness World Records for the first synthetic-fuel-powered flight and produces drop-in fuels compatible with existing engines[8][5].
– : Invested in a Patagonian eFuel plant leveraging strong winds for low-cost renewable energy[1].
While eFuels aren’t yet cost-competitive, technological advances and policy support (like carbon pricing) could bridge the gap. For now, they remain a niche solution for sectors with no cleaner alternatives[4][7].
