Porsche is fighting back against electrification and championing to keep the Internal Combustion Engine alive with its carbon-capture technology
Porsche has embarked on a groundbreaking initiative to combat climate change. The company is exploring the integration of Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology into its eFuels pilot plant in Chile. In collaboration with Volkswagen Group Innovation, HIF Global, and MAN Energy Solutions, Porsche aims to extract carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere in a sustainable manner, furthering its commitment to environmental responsibility.
DAC technology is considered a game-changer in the fight against climate change. It allows for the extraction of CO2 from the air while utilising renewable energy sources. Porsche envisions this technology as a vital component of its strategy to reduce emissions and develop sustainable solutions.
Michael Steiner, Member of the Executive Board for Research and Development at Porsche AG, emphasised the importance of DAC technology, saying, “To slow global warming, it is essential to reduce emissions and remove CO2 from the atmosphere. At the same time, we need CO2 as a raw material in many production processes. Why not combine the two? We’re working on that. We want to put an industrial direct air capture, or DAC, procedure into series production.”
One of the primary advantages of DAC technology is its versatility. It can be deployed anywhere with access to renewable energy sources, making it a scalable and environmentally friendly solution. The proposed DAC facility at the Haru Oni eFuels pilot plant in Chile could potentially revolutionise the production of eFuels by sourcing CO2 directly from the air.
Barbara Frenkel, Executive Board Member for Procurement at Porsche, underscored the significance of eFuels, stating, “These eFuels are a useful complement to e-mobility, as there will still be many ICE vehicles on the road around the world for decades to come.”
DAC technology operates by filtering ambient air through specialised materials to capture CO2, which can then be used for various applications. Porsche and HIF Global are evaluating how DAC-extracted CO2 can be integrated into the Haru Oni eFuels plant, where it would be combined with hydrogen to produce methanol, a crucial step in creating synthetic fuel.
The Haru Oni eFuel pilot plant, situated in Punta Arenas, Chile, has already initiated industrial production of synthetic fuels. These fuels offer the potential for nearly carbon-neutral operation of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles when produced using renewable energy sources and renewable CO2.
In the pilot phase, the Haru Oni plant is set to produce up to 130,000 litres of eFuels annually, which will be utilised in projects like the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup and Porsche Experience Centres. There are plans to construct larger plants in close proximity to the pilot facility, which would significantly increase eFuels production over time.
The southern region of Chile boasts ideal conditions for eFuels production, with abundant wind resources for most of the year and proximity to transportation infrastructure. This allows for the efficient distribution of synthetic eFuels, which can serve as a practical complement to electric mobility.
Porsche’s dedication to sustainable solutions is evident through its substantial investments in eFuels development. The company has already invested over $100 million USD in this endeavour, with $75 million USD allocated for acquiring an interest in HIF Global LLC in April 2022. HIF Global specialises in planning, building, and operating eFuels plants globally, aligning perfectly with Porsche’s vision for a more sustainable automotive future.
Nikolai Ardey, Director of Volkswagen Group Innovation, shared his enthusiasm for the project, stating, “We are not waiting for solutions to come to us. We are finding them ourselves and moving forward.” He emphasised the collaborative nature of the venture and the shared goal of creating a scalable and economically viable DAC technology.
César Norton, President and CEO of HIF Global, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of pioneering direct-air-capture technology as an active contribution to the fight against climate change.
As Porsche, in partnership with Volkswagen Group Innovation, HIF Global, and MAN Energy Solutions, takes bold steps toward integrating DAC technology into its eFuels production, the automotive industry is witnessing a transformative approach to sustainability. By harnessing the power of Direct Air Capture, Porsche is not only pushing the boundaries of innovation but also championing a greener future for the world of mobility.
The DAC needs to be built in to every new car with a combustion engine. Not just the factory. Imagine.