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Reuters — Climate — E-Fuels — CO2 Emissions — Electric Vehicles — Environment

Explainer: What are e-fuels, and can they help make cars CO2-free?

E-fuels are made by synthesizing captured CO2 emissions and hydrogen produced using renewable or CO2-free electricity. Germany and Italy want clearer assurances from the EU that sales of new ICE cars can continue past 2035, if they run on CO2-neutral fuels.

1 min read
  • E-fuels are produced by synthesizing captured CO2 emissions and hydrogen using renewable or CO2-free electricity, making them CO2-neutral overall.
  • Germany and Italy want clearer assurances from the EU that sales of new ICE cars can continue beyond 2035, if they run on CO2-neutral fuels.
  • Most major carmakers are betting on battery-electric vehicles to cut CO2 emissions, while suppliers and oil majors defend e-fuels.
  • E-fuels can be used in today's ICE vehicles and transported via existing fossil fuel logistics networks.
  • Critics highlight that manufacturing e-fuels is expensive and energy-intensive.
Explainer: What are e-fuels, and can they help make cars CO2-free?
Germany has declared last-minute opposition to a landmark European Union law to end sales of CO2-emitting cars in 2035, demanding that sales be allowed of new cars with internal combustion engines after that date if they run on e-fuels.
Reuters

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