He speaks for 21 million members – and now he is clearly in favor of the introduction of climate-neutral synthetic fuels: In extensive tests, the ADAC has found that the climate-friendly fuel not only works without problems in a wide variety of vehicles with combustion engines, but also that other do not worsen pollutant emissions.
With synthetic fuels, not only could new vehicles be operated in a completely climate-neutral manner, but practically the entire existing fleet could also be driven CO2-free. The overall CO2 balance of combustion engines that are operated with such e-fuels beats electric cars by far. Because their electricity comes – especially in Germany – from a relatively dirty power plant park, whose CO2 balance – according to a new study by the Karlsruhe Institute for Politics – is even worsening due to the Ukraine war and the phase-out of nuclear energy.
The synthetic climate fuels can be mixed with mineral fuels in any ratio, so that, depending on availability, a continuous improvement in the CO2 balance can be achieved. ADAC technical director Karsten Schulze therefore calls on politicians to create incentives and provide perspectives: “The high investments and development costs require planning security.”
Incidentally, this also means that the synthetic fuels can be included in the balance sheets as CO2-neutral. The EU has so far refused to take this step so as not to jeopardize the switch to electric cars it wants. (aum/jm)
