The European Union’s plans to fuel water and carbon dioxide until 2035 are huge.
Fuels produced from raw materials… water and carbon dioxide will be used by internal combustion engine cars in the EU from 2035, as part of the EU’s anti-pollution policy agreed last week at the Council of Energy Ministers.
The new rules set the following objectives:
- 55% reduction in CO2 emissions for new cars and 50% for new trucks from 2030 to 2034 compared to 2021 levels
- 100% reduction in CO2 emissions for both new cars and trucks from 2035
The original wording of the relevant Regulation practically led to the sale of exclusively electric new vehicles in the EU from 2035, putting an end to internal combustion engines. But the compromise reached after pressure from Germany, Italy and other countries allows internal combustion engines to be retained after 2035, provided they use climate-neutral fuels. The practical steps for the implementation of the agreement will be clarified by the autumn of 2024, probably with the addition of a new category of vehicles (those that will run exclusively on climate neutral fuels, e-fuels) to the Regulation on vehicle emissions (Euro 6).
Electric propulsion and synthetic fuels
In statements to APE-MPE, the director of Energy Policy and International Relations of HELLENiQ ENERGY, Liana Gouta, pointed out:
“This is a decision of vital importance to achieve the goal of zero carbon emissions in road transport. Now, in addition to electrification, another new technology is added to the EU arsenal – the use of synthetic fuels – which will accelerate the energy transition, reduce emissions, not only in new vehicles but also in the approximately 250 million conventional internal combustion cars will continue to be on European roads in 2030, while providing alternatives to those citizens who will not be able to access an electric vehicle. The fuel industry is ready to respond to this new challenge of the transition from fossil fuels to renewable fuels, which are also part of the “Vision 2025″ Strategy that the HELLENiQ ENERGY Group has already begun to implement.”
According to in.gr, e-fuels are produced from hydrogen extracted from water through electrolysis, for which energy from renewable sources is used. The so-called green hydrogen is then converted into liquid fuel (gasoline, oil, kerosene) through CO2 taken from the atmosphere. Since the carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere from the use of e-fuels is the one committed for their production, it is considered that these fuels are climate neutral. Additional advantages are that they can be used by the existing vehicle fleet without conversion, are easily stored and transported at normal temperature and pressure conditions, from the existing fuel supply network of consumers.
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**Interview with Liana Gouta, Director of Energy Policy and International Relations at HELLENiQ ENERGY**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Liana. The recent decisions by the European Union regarding internal combustion engines and synthetic fuels have generated a lot of buzz. Can you explain what these new rules entail and why they are significant?
**Liana Gouta:** Absolutely, and thank you for having me. The new regulations set ambitious targets for reducing CO2 emissions from new vehicles. Specifically, by 2030, we aim for a 55% reduction in emissions from cars and a 50% reduction for trucks, compared to 2021 levels. By 2035, the goal is to achieve a complete 100% reduction in emissions.
This decision is crucial because it allows the continued use of internal combustion engines as long as they operate on climate-neutral synthetic fuels. This is a compromise that responds to the concerns of various member states while still aligning with our overarching goals for a cleaner transport sector.
**Editor:** That’s a significant shift. Why is the use of synthetic fuels considered vital in this transition?
**Liana Gouta:** Synthetic fuels offer a dual advantage. They not only help in drastically reducing emissions from new vehicles but also provide a solution for the existing fleet of approximately 250 million conventional vehicles on European roads. Many of these cars will still be in use by 2030, so utilizing synthetic fuels can effectively lower their carbon footprint. This approach allows us to harness existing infrastructure and technology while transitioning toward a more sustainable future.
**Editor:** It seems there is a strong focus on a mix of strategies—what role do you see for electric vehicles in this context?
**Liana Gouta:** Electric vehicles (EVs) are undoubtedly a key component of our strategy for decarbonization. The EU’s push for electrification is essential, especially for urban areas where pollution is a significant concern. However, synthetic fuels will complement EVs, providing a more comprehensive solution that enables us to reduce emissions across the entire transportation sector. Both technologies can coexist and will be vital in our journey to achieve zero carbon emissions.
**Editor:** Looking ahead, implementation details are expected to emerge by autumn 2024. What steps do you think will be necessary to ensure a successful rollout of synthetic fuels in the EU?
**Liana Gouta:** The success of this initiative will rely on a few key factors: first, the establishment of clear regulations and standards for synthetic fuels. Second, we need to foster collaboration among stakeholders, including governments, energy producers, and automotive manufacturers. investing in infrastructure to produce, distribute, and make these fuels readily available will be critical. If we get these elements right, we can leverage synthetic fuels to make significant strides toward our emission reduction targets.
**Editor:** Thank you for your insights, Liana. It’s clear that the road to a sustainable future involves a combination of strategies, and synthetic fuels will play a pivotal role.
**Liana Gouta:** Thank you for having me. Exciting times lie ahead for the energy and transport sectors as we work towards cleaner solutions for our planet.