Audi produces synthetic petrol successfully

Audi records another success in the development of sustainable synthetic fuels, as it has produced the first batch of Audi “e-benzin”. A compound not derived from crude oil that could be the substitute for conventional petrol.

Unlike the e-diesel already presented, the e-benzin is still in the experimental phase, and for the time being Audi has not disclosed dates or plans for its launch. This means Audi still has a way to go before the final fuel is optimal for use in conventional engines.

It is a fully synthetic petrol, with an octane rating of 100, purer than the 98-octane petrol we see at petrol stations. Furthermore, not a single drop of crude oil was needed to produce the first vial. It is an interesting fuel because it is free of sulphur and also contains no benzene. Therefore, combustion is cleaner and higher compression ratios can be used in engines.

For research and development, Audi is working jointly with Global Bioenergies SA, a French company that produces the isobutane on which this synthetic petrol is based. The next step is to modify the production of e-benzin so that it only requires water, hydrogen, CO2 and sunlight.

Now we only have to wait for further tests to see how engines respond and the improvements that can be made at an engineering level to make better use of this fuel. The long-term idea is to produce e-benzin on a mass scale, in the same way that e-gas is already produced.

Will this be the end of the age of oil?

Source | Audi