Technology of the Year While battery
electric is the future of motoring, it will be sad to see engines rest
into history, especially for sports cars. It is hard to imagine how an
electric 911 could engage its driver as much as one with a flat-six
engine. That's why Porsche invests considerable money in the
development of e-Fuel. In December 2022, an e-Fuel plant called "Haru
Oni" in Chile started producing such fuels. It is operated by HIF with
major investment from Porsche. The plant uses wind and solar power to
split water into oxygen and hydrogen, the latter reacts with CO2
and forms methanol, then converted to gasoline. Therefore, e-Fuel is
completely carbon-neutral.
The first year output of Haru Oni is estimated to be just 150,000 liters, enough for Porsche to use it on its Supercup racing series but not much. However, by 2028 it is expected to rise to 550 million liters, by then all the road-going 911 and probably your cars could be benefited. Meanwhile, Formula One is also developing 100% sustainable fuel with its fuel partner Aramco, which will power all the F1 cars from 2026. In the view of e-Fuel development, European Union and the UK government make U-turn on banning ICE cars, accepting e-Fuel as an exemption. e-Fuel will be the lifesaver of our good old engines. |
| Past winners 2022 Lucid Air 2021 Toyota Mirai 2020 Koenigsegg LST 2019 Rimac C_Two 2018 Mazda Skyactiv-X engine 2017 GKN Twinster for Ford Focus RS 2016 iStream Carbon 2015 LaFerrari's hybrid powertrain 2014 BMW i3's LifeDrive architecture 2013 Mercedes SLS Electric Drive 2012 Ferrari 4RM 2011 Chevrolet Volt 2010 FIAT Multiair 2009 Better Place-Israel electric car plan 2008 Mercedes F700 and DiesOtto engine 2007 BMW Turbosteamer 2006 Volkswagen-Eaton Twincharger 2005 BorgWarner regulated 2-stage turbocharging system 2004 Toyota Prius 2003 BorgWarner DualTronic double-clutch gearbox 2002 BMW 7-series 2001 Saab SVC (variable compression) engine 2000 Audi Multitronic CVT 1999 Volkswagen 24-valve VR6 |
