Diesel – e-fuel blends for simultaneous reduction of real driving NOx and CO2 emissions

In order to meet the target of not to exceed the 2°C in global warming until 2050, worldwide CO₂ emitting processes have to be improved. Hence, transport industry and therefore propulsion systems of passenger cars and trucks have to reduce their CO₂ emissions significantly, also having in mind that the overall number of vehicles will increase in the next three decades by app. 100%.The use of eFuels in combustion engines might become an important brick for significant CO₂ reduction. Efuels are obtained from green H2 (produced from renewable electricity) and CO₂ coming from sources like industry gases or atmosphere. Therefore, the Well to Wheel CO₂ emissions of eFuels is close to zero: in fact the captured CO₂ in the fuel production process (Well-to-Tank) is later emitted when the fuel is burned in the propulsion engines (Tank-to-Wheel).An attractive eFuel for CI engines is OME (Oxymethylene ether), which is liquid, nontoxic and the production can be realized with reasonable costs. Continental investigated pure OME and its blends with Diesel on serial engines and vehicles in combination with state-of-the art aftertreatment systems.