The problem with synthetic fuels

‘We don’t want to get into the fuel business’ has been a perennial cry from the motor industry. But that’s changed fast in recent years as car makers invest in electric recharging networks (Ionity, a JV between the VW Group, Ford, Daimler, BMW and, most recently, Hyundai), hydrogen-fuel infrastructures (Toyota in Japan and America) and now climate-friendly petrol if Porsche’s announcement made over a year ago has any truth.

Porsche’s plan was to provide a synthetic renewable petrol, which would be suitable for existing and older combustion engines and would cost ‘about’ the same as current European pump prices, according to Dr Michael Steiner, Porsche’s R&D director.