Planes could one day run on thin air — here’s how
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The main problem with e-fuel, a net-zero solution for air travel
- A third generation of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), known as e-fuel or "power to liquid" fuel, has emerged, offering a potential net-zero solution for air travel.
- E-fuel is produced by converting carbon dioxide from the atmosphere or industrial emissions into carbon monoxide, which is then combined with hydrogen and later refined to create jet fuel.
- While e-fuel offers environmental benefits by avoiding feedstock limits and land-use concerns, its current cost is significantly higher than other SAF types and conventional jet fuel.
- The high cost is attributed to expensive e-fuel plants, the scarcity of specific hydrogen types, and the energy-intensive process of capturing CO2.
- Scaling e-fuel production to commercial levels at a reasonable cost requires substantial investment and supportive governmental policies to overcome current economic hurdles.