Can e-fuels save the world? Turns out question that it's a 74-million-dollar And the answer? On their own, probably not. But as part of a midterm solution to the increasingly thorny issue of climate change, e-fuels can no longer be ignored.
So although they can't quite be hailed as a miracle cure for the 'hangover to end all hangovers' we've inflicted upon ourselves courtesy of the industrial revolution, they're probably the most realistic chance we've got of not completely mucking it all up during the next 10-15 years. And for internal combustion engine enthusiasts especially, they are pretty much the only way forwards, longer-term.
Without e-fuels it's not unduly dramatic to say it'll be game over for the combustion engine in ten years' time because, if nothing else changes by then, ICE vehicles will be legislated into a dusty toy box for eternity.
But if e-fuels are adopted quickly and globally, we might just have a chance. We might even be able to continue driving our beloved ICE cars not just for the next 10-15 years but if they're embraced in the way they should be - virtually forever. This, you'll agree, would be A Very Good Thing Indeed.
But do e-fuels honestly contain this much raw potential? In a word, yes, because in the simplest terms an e-fuel takes as much CO₂ out of the atmosphere during its creation as it puts back in when it's being burned. And that really is the crux of the matter, beyond which are myriad other reasons to justify its importance but none so important as this: the simple fact that you take out what you put back in.
Denne historien er fra September 2023-utgaven av Octane.
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Denne historien er fra September 2023-utgaven av Octane.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Will China Change Everything? - China is tearing up modern motor manufacture but is yet to make more than a ripple in the classic car world. That could be about to change dramatically
China now dominates the automotive world in a way even Detroit in its heyday would have struggled to comprehend.Helped by Government incentives, the new car world is dominated by China's industries: whether full cars that undercut Western models by huge amounts, ownership of storied European brands such as Lotus and Volvo, or ownership and access to the vast majority of raw materials that go into EV cars, its influence is far-reaching and deep. However, this automotive enlightenment hasn't manifested itself in the classic world in any meaningful way - until now.
Jem Marsh
The hard-bitten Marcos boss was driven like few others and never knew when he was beaten. Thankfully
Vandamm House
A Mid-Century Modernist masterpiece that was immortalised on celluloid - despite never actually existing
Making light
Alfa Romeo's post-war renaissance began with the 1900 saloon - and matured with Zagato's featherweight coupé version, as Jay Harvey discovers
FULL OF EASTERN PROMISE
Is burgeoning classic car interest in the Middle East good for the global classic market? Nathan Chadwick investigates
Before the beginning
This rare Amazon Green pre-production Range Rover is Velar chassis number 4. James Elliott charts its historically revealing factory restoration
Ben Cussons
As the outgoing chairman of the Royal Automobile Club hands on to his successor, Robert Coucher quizzes him about the evolution of this great British institution
BULLDOG & THE PUPPIES
We gather five motoring masterpieces by avant-garde designer William Towns - and drive all of them
Below the tip of the Audrain iceberg
As the Audrain organisation grows, we take a look behind the scenes at the huge car collection that feeds it
Flying the Scottish flag
Young Ecurie Ecosse driver Chloe Grant gets to grips with the Ecurie Ecosse Jaguar C-type at Goodwood. Matthew Hayward is Octane's witness
