Pay attention to e-fuel

We must advance to the era of synthetic fuels as soon as possible.

CHO WON-KYEONG The author is a professor at UNIST and the head of the Global Industry-University Cooperation Center.

Some advanced countries announced a plan to ban the sales of new gasoline and diesel cars from 2035. Hyundai Motor Group also declared a complete suspension of internal combustion engine car sales in 2045. But the United States and Europe suddenly eased regulations on emissions and revised their goals for new electric vehicles (EVs). Internal combustion engine carmakers got excited.

Lately, the growth of the EV market has slowed. Consumers are reluctant to buy electric vehicles because of their high price, reduced subsidies and a lack of charging infrastructure. There are signs that the European Union (EU) would delay the suspension of combustion engine cars. Hyundai Motor started developing a new internal combustion engine after a two-year respite.

There is a clear factor for extending the life of internal combustion engines. Upon Germany’s proposal, the EU excluded eco-friendly internal combustion engine vehicles from the list of products exiting the market. Typical eco-friendly synthetic fuels include e-fuel, or electricity-based fuel. E-fuel is a carbon neutral fuel mixing carbon dioxide with hydrogen made from eco-friendly electricity from renewable sources or nuclear power. Depending on the manufacturing methods and reaction conditions, e-fuel can transform into various products such as synthetic gasoline, diesel and aviation fuel. It would be nice if petroleum and natural gas can be found in the waters off Pohang, but there are other energy sources, too.

With e-fuel, a car can be driven without a drop of petroleum. Though carbon dioxide is emitted during the combustion process, it is used up in the production process. The rate of complete combustion is also high.

Compared to diesel, e-fuel produces 20 to 40 percent of fine dust and greenhouse gas emissions and can be used in combustion engine vehicles or aircraft.

Japan, a frontrunner in the field after Germany, is quite ambitious. By 2050, Japanese e-fuel prices will be lower than that of gasoline. Since the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework’s agreement on supply chains took effect in April, the domestic hydrogen industry has a chance to become competitive. Korea must not fall behind in the e-fuel business as Europe and Japan continue to accelerate. We must advance to the era of synthetic fuels as soon as possible. We don’t have time to waste.