The production process of e-fuels differs from traditional gasoline primarily in its reliance on renewable or decarbonized electricity to synthesize liquid fuels through electrochemical methods, whereas traditional gasoline is derived from crude oil refining. E-fuels involve converting renewable energy into chemical feedstocks, resulting in a lower environmental impact.
Traditional gasoline production involves extracting crude oil from underground reservoirs, followed by refining processes such as distillation, cracking, and reforming to produce gasoline. This process is energy-intensive and releases significant greenhouse gases, contributing to climate change. In contrast, e-fuels (electrofuels) are produced using renewable or decarbonized electricity to synthesize liquid fuels via electrochemical reactions. According to Wikipedia, electrofuels are created in the presence of metal catalysts at temperatures of 150–300°C and pressures of one to several tens of atmospheres, converting renewable electricity into liquid fuels like e-methane, e-kerosene, or e-methanol [1]. These fuels are produced from renewable energy sources such as solar or wind power, differentiating them from biofuels that are derived from biomass [2]. The process involves capturing or producing raw materials (like CO2 and hydrogen) and converting them into liquid fuels, which can perform similarly to conventional gasoline but with a significantly lower environmental footprint due to cleaner energy inputs and fewer emissions during production [3]. Unlike traditional refining, which relies on fossil fuels, e-fuel production emphasizes sustainability by utilizing renewable electricity, although it requires substantial energy inputs for electrolysis and synthesis, with lifecycle emissions dependent on the energy source [4].