Ook plofwagens met e-fuels blijven vervuilers (2035)

[Micele]

E-fuel cars are not zero emission

E-petrol cars under current RED framework would emit 61 gCO2e/km in 2035

October 2023

Summary

In September 2023, the European Commission shared a draft text which,defined a new category of vehicles running exclusively on synthetic fuels (or e-fuels). The central point of discussion is around the level of greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction that these e-fuels should achieve.

Currently, e-fuels only need,to meet a 70% GHG emissions reduction threshold compared to fossil fuels, as per the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive methodology (RED).

T&E analysis shows that e-petrol cars would emit 61 gCO2e/km in 2035 under the existing RED e-fuel system. This contrasts with EVs, which would only emit 13 gCO2/km when charged with electricity from the EU average grid in 2035. Under such a system, e-petrol cars would be considered CO2 neutral but would still emit around five times more CO2 emissions than equivalent EV models.

Additionally, e-petrol cars emit air pollutants, including toxic nitrogen oxides (NOx) and carcinogenic particles.

In short, for the EU to respect the official agreement and decision of co legislators, it is not possible to allow e-fuels that do not reach a 100% GHG reduction when used in cars. In particular a 70% reduction would disregard the existing agreement to only allow “vehicles running exclusively on CO2 neutral fuels”.

T&E recommendations:

• E-fuels allowed in cars should comply with a strict framework to certify and ensure RFNBOs deliver 100% CO2 reduction. Such rules should ensure that all of the electricity used in the process (production of the e-fuel and DAC) is 100% generated from additional renewable energy sources. The carbon used must also be from 100% direct air capture (DAC) to prevent any additional CO2 being released into the atmosphere. The RED RFNBO methodology also
covers emissions from the transport and distribution of RFNBOs, which are a minimal part of total emissions (estimated at maximum 2%-3%). The methodology always ensures the feasibility of the achievement of 100% GHG emissions reduction. The preferred option is to use RFNBOs delivering high GHG savings or even carbon-neutral fuels for the transport of these carbon-neutral fuels (i.e. nearly CO2-neutral ships and electric trucks). It is also legally possible to offset any residual emissions from the transport and distribution of the e-fuel through the purchase of offsets from projects using carbon capture and storage (CCS).

• E-fuel cars should not be designated as zero-emission for the purposes of regulatory compliance given they still emit toxic air pollutants. Otherwise it would undermine efforts to reduce pollution and establish low- and zero emission zones in European cities.

blz 1 van
https://www.transportenvironment.org...briefing-1.pdf