Audi starts new e-gas partnership with Global Bioenergies

Sun, Jan 26 2014

Audi continues to try to build its green-car cred with one more partnership to produce synthetic fuels made from renewable resources. The German automaker is hooking up with France-based Global Bioenergies to make a synthetic biofuel called e-gasoline. Audi says making this e-gas "does not create competition with food production and farmland," nipping that argument in the bud.

Last summer, Audi opened a power-to-gas facility in Werlte, Germany. That factory produces hydrogen and synthetic methane, which are made from renewable energy sources such as water and excess carbon dioxide. The E-gas plant uses electrolysis to split water molecules into oxygen and hydrogen; those elements will later be set aside to power fuel-cell vehicles but in the near term, the plant will make synthetic natural gas. Audi started delivering e-gas in Germany in the fall of 2013 and estimated that it would make enough of the stuff each year to power 1,500 Audi A3 Sportback G-tron vehicles for more than 9,000 miles.

Audi also operates a research facility in Hobbs, New Mexico, with renewable fuel company Joule. That plant produces e-ethanol and e-diesel. Check out Audi's press release about its new Global Bioenergies partnership below.

Audi launches strategic partnership with Global Bioenergies

Premium carmaker and biotechnology company developing the drop-in biofuel Audi e-gasoline
Reiner Mangold, Head of Sustainable Product Development: "Another step closer to carbon-neutral mobility with Global Bioenergies"
e-gasoline part of the big Audi e-fuels strategy

Audi is launching a strategic partnership with Global Bioenergies. The carmaker will work with the French biotechnology company to promote the development of non-fossil fuels. In addition to the Audi e-gas and e-diesel projects, the research into e-gasoline is part of Audi's persistent efforts to find alternative fuels.

Reiner Mangold, Head of Sustainable Product Development at AUDI AG: "We're taking another step closer to carbon-neutral mobility with our partners at Global Bioenergies. We are supporting an innovative technology here which can be used to produce renewable fuel. This process does not create competition with food production and farmland."

e-gasoline is part of the overall Audi e-fuels strategy. Audi is already operating a research facility for the production of e-ethanol and e-diesel with its partner Joule in Hobbs, New Mexico. The Audi e-gas plant in Werlte began feeding into the grid a few months ago. Synthetically produced gas is used here to store electric surplus energy.

Thanks to its innovative powertrain technology, Audi also delivers low fuel consumption figures with its conventional drive systems. The company's model range currently includes 146 engine and transmission versions with CO2 emissions of less than 140 grams per kilometer (225.31 g/mile); 62 engine and transmission versions are even under 120 grams CO2 per kilometer (193.12 g/mile). Eleven engine and transmission versions even emit only 100 grams of CO2 or less per kilometer (160.93 g/mile).

By Danny King