Audi has begun production of a synthetic diesel fuel, which is said to be carbon-neutral, at a pilot plant in Dresden. 

Audi’s synthetic diesel is said to be carbon-neutral.

The fuel is produced using CO2, which is supplied by a biogas facility. In addition, initially a portion of the CO2 needed is extracted from the ambient air by means of direct air capturing, a technology of Audi’s Zurich‑based partner Climeworks.

Reiner Mangold, head of sustainable product development at Audi, sees Audi e‑diesel and Audi e‑fuels in general as an important component that complements electric mobility: “In developing Audi e-diesel we are promoting another fuel based on CO2 that will allow long‑distance mobility with virtually no impact on the climate. Using CO2 as a raw material represents an opportunity not just for the automotive industry in Germany, but also to transfer the principle to other sectors and countries.”

The Dresden plant is set to produce over 3,000 litres of Audi e‑diesel over the coming months.

Audi is also conducting joint research into the synthetic manufacture of Audi e‑gasoline with Global Bioenergies, of France. In a further project, Audi has joined forces with the US company Joule, which uses microorganisms to produce the synthetic fuels Audi e‑diesel and Audi e‑ethanol.