Synthetic Diesel Fuel Reduces CO2 Emissions in Tests

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Such admixtures are designed to make combustion engines greener in future. In vehicle tests conducted by Continental, a fifteen percent OME admixture, in addition to the current biofuel share of seven percent, could already be used. As a result, the CO₂ vehicle emissions decreased proportionally by about eight grams per kilometre.

The admixture has an additional benefit: "Synthetic fuels do not only contribute to CO₂-neutral mobility. For instance, OME produces almost no soot when burned", says Dr. Oliver Maiwald, head of Technology & Innovation at Continental’s Powertrain division.

Environmentally-friendly bridging technology 

Continental assumes that this admixture for the fuel can gradually be increased, which is recommended in order to be able to optimise the impact, for example, on internal engine processes from the injection system and combustion through to the exhaust gas aftertreatment of a vehicle. Furthermore, the production of synthetic fuels is still very cost-intensive. Carbon dioxide generated as exhaust gas in power stations was used for the CO₂-neutral production of the OME used.

Continental recommends using synthetic fuels as an environmentally-friendly bridging technology on the road to electromobility. Above all, the CO₂ footprint of heavy goods vehicles could also be improved.