VW looks for growth in biofuels

[Pebb]

Source: AutoCar

Volkswagen is supporting mass biofuel production, as well as developing a zero-emissions combustion engine, to ensure sustainable, environmentally friendly mobility in the future.

At a biofuels seminar in London Dr Wolfgang Steiger, Volkswagen Group’s head of powertrain development, said that aside from the tangible benefits of improving local air quality and reducing global carbon dioxide emissions, VW also wanted to reduce its vehicles’ dependency on crude oil. The German firm predicts oil prices will become unstable as early as 2020.

Second-generation biofuel, or ‘SunFuel’ as VW calls it, produces a closed carbon dioxide cycle - ie it absorbs as much CO2 as it creates - and could be operational on a large scale within 10 years. VW says that the yield from today’s existing biofuel acreage in Germany would be enough to power 25 per cent of the country’s cars.

However, Aaron Berry of the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs argues that there is broad uncertainty about the levels of CO2 produced from the differing crops used in biofuel production, which puts into question the environmental benefits. It also makes it incredibly difficult for the government to levy an appropriate level of tax, especially knowing that this fuel costs more per litre to manufacture than regular petrol.

But according to Dr Steiger “the goal is not just to produce a biofuel, it is to reduce CO2 production”.

Volkswagen’s new engine technology, Combined Combustion System, would help achieve this. It applies the same principles of combustion as conventional engines, but biofuel combustion takes place at a lower temperature, thus preventing the production of noxous emissions such as carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.

 

[Philly]

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I am not at all opposed to the concept, but it is the complications that concern me. We can currently get biofuels for free from the local restaurant. Production will not be necessary for a long. It will be awhile before demand for bacon grease outpaces supply.

GM has experimented with this before, too. The E85 thing. The concept is totally feasible, just grow corn and burn it. Another problem here is that by powering our nation and feeding it on the same land, we may run into some serious land issues.

Also, will the biovehicles get enough mileage to balance out the cost between biofuel and gas, if biofuel is mass produced?

Personally, I'm advocating for Hydrogen. It's clean and plentiful. Production is the only iffy part. Biofuels are a great alternative fuel, as long as they stay alternative. We cannot run an economy off of it the same way we do petrol.

 

[Tornado]

Another problem here is that by powering our nation and feeding it on the same land, we will run into some serious land issues.

Fixed.
At this point, Biofuel is nothing but a scapegoat. If they find a way to mass produce it it can be feasible to change. But now? No way.

Personally, I'm advocating for Hydrogen. It's clean and plentiful. Production is the only iffy part.

If by "iffy" you mean its entire undermining and horribly ironic downfall, then yes.

Biofuels are a great alternative fuel, as long as they stay alternative. We cannot run an economy off of it the same way we do petrol.

Not right now, at least.

 

[ExigeEvan]

I don't quite see how this warranted a thread, most companies have made statements preaching about how they strive to lower emissions and make a greener earth.

However, I do think Biofuel is the answer. Even if it is just part of the production of hydrogen. With GM crops on the increase it won't take long for there to be a significant increase in yield from certain crops.