Currently reading: Porsche and ExxonMobil to test synthetic fuel for racing

Blend of biofuels developed by ExxonMobil to be tested in the Porsche Supercup this year

A renewable fuel formulated by ExxonMobil is to be used in the Porsche Supercup, a support series that will share the billing at 10 Formula 1 grand prix this season.

The Esso Renewable Racing Fuel is a blend of biofuels made from hydrogen and captured CO2, and its creators claim that it could lead to a significant reduction in emissions.

It’s hoped that the synthetic fuel could be offered to consumers in the future.

“The electrification of our vehicles is of highest priority to us,” said Porsche research-and-development boss Michael Steiner.

"E-fuels are a good complement to our powertrain strategy. They allow our customers to drive cars with conventional combustion engines as well as plug-in hybrids with significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions.

“The collaboration with ExxonMobil enables us to test the eFuels under demanding conditions on the racing track. This is a further step towards making eFuels an affordable and lower greenhouse gas emission substitute to conventional fuels.”

Earlier this year, Porsche confirmed that it would begin trials of its own synthetic fuels in 2022, with the aim of making them work in unmodified combustion-engined cars. A dedicated plant is set to produce 55 million litres of synthetic fuel by 2024 and well over half a billion litres by 2026.

Synthetic fuels have long been of interest to Porsche, which is rumoured to be weighing up an entry in F1. The series' regulations are set for a shake-up in 2025, and bosses have made sustainable fuels a key part of discussions over the next generation of engine rules.

Volkswagen - a sibling brand to Porsche within Volkswagen Group - is also thought to be considering an F1 programme.

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xxxx 31 March 2021

No detail again. How do actually add hydrogen to co2 and get a fuel, I presume it is a stable liquid. Hydrogen is involved so how how can it ever be as clean as bev.

shiakas 30 March 2021

Another week, another synthetic fuel article on Autocar.

Much better this time though, no claims of it being "as clean as an EV" and its clear who is behind it, oil companies.

pikkoz 31 March 2021
Yeah, lately we're getting bombarded by these articles that basically come straight from the marketing departments without a proper explanation about these syntetic fuels telling noting but praises and notneven touching the glaring issues .
Oldphart 30 March 2021

Will synthetic fuel be useable in all engines, or will owners be suckered into buying at dealer only prices?

pikkoz 31 March 2021
Syntetic fuel it's an umbrella word.
It can be processed as ethanol (more easily) or something like diesel .
The answer to your question is that shorther hydrocarbon chain syntetic fuel should be able to run on any engine that can accept E85 fuel.