Germany Tests Synthetic Gasoline on VW Golf 7 1.4 TSI – An Alternative to Electric Motors

Germany continues to explore alternatives to the full electrification of the car fleet, successfully testing synthetic gasoline on a Volkswagen Golf 7 1.4 TSI. The experiment conducted by ADAC and the Central Association of the German Auto Trade (ZDK) demonstrates that internal combustion engines could have a sustainable future when powered by synthetic fuels, challenging plans for a total ban on internal combustion engines by 2035.

This article examines the European context, the division among automakers, Germany’s official stance, and the potential implications for Romania and beyond, including how synthetic fuels could fit into current infrastructure and maintenance.

European Context: The Zero-Emission Transition by 2035

Currently, the European Union depends on oil from Russia and the Middle East for about 97% of its needs. The commercialization of electric vehicles could significantly reduce this dependence, offering greater energy independence and protecting the environment.

In early June, the European Parliament voted to implement a package of laws aimed at reducing CO2 emissions by up to 100% by 2035. The vote passed in the plenary with 339 votes for, 249 against, and 24 abstentions.

According to the Paris Agreement on climate, emissions must be drastically reduced to improve air quality and public health. As Vlad Radu Zamfira stated to Infoclima: “The new emission standards can accelerate the transition to electric vehicles, which in turn will require improved charging infrastructure and energy networks.”

Division among Auto Manufacturers

Advocates of rapid electrification:

• Volvo aims to switch completely to electric vehicles by 2030, five years ahead of the European deadline.
• Sweden, while targeting 2035, supports this accelerated transition.

Opponents and skeptics:

• BMW and Toyota have openly opposed these plans
• Volkswagen and Mercedes spent a long time in a wait-and-see stance before taking an official position
• Germany began to voice its reservations about this legislation

Germany Backtracks: Official Position

Germany’s Federal Minister of Finance, Christian Lindner, recently stated that there will continue to be niches for vehicles with internal combustion engines. The German government believes that a complete ban would be a grave mistake and will oppose this European legislation.

This stance comes as Volkswagen, armed with a €100 billion budget, has not managed to meet the sales targets for ID.3 and ID.4, despite a well-structured Rabla program in Germany.

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Situation in Romania

In Romania, electric vehicle sales remain modest, despite:

• a subsidy of €11,500 offered to dealers through the Rabla Plus program
• the sustained efforts of importers
• the continuously developing charging infrastructure

Synthetic Gasoline – An Alternative Solution

What is Synthetic Gasoline?

Synthetic gasoline is a fuel produced by electrolysis from atmospheric carbon dioxide. ADAC and ZDK have identified this solution as viable for the 1.4 billion petrol and diesel cars in circulation worldwide.

Test on VW Golf 7 1.4 TSI

In the German experiment, a Volkswagen Golf 7 equipped with the 1.4 TSI engine was fueled with 20 liters of synthetic gasoline. The results were impressive:

• Identical performance: The engine behaved exactly as if fueled with conventional gasoline
• No detectable differences: Even automotive specialists could not observe differences in engine operation
• Total compatibility: No technical modifications to the engine were required

Advantages of Synthetic Gasoline

Identical properties:

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• Synthetic gasoline has the same characteristics as traditional gasoline
• Does not require changes to the engine or fuel system
• Can be used immediately in existing vehicles

Refueling Time:

• Refueling takes a few minutes, like conventional gasoline
• Compared with 2-4 hours needed to recharge electric vehicles
• It does not require special charging infrastructure

Production Flexibility:

• According to Chemieanlagenbau Chemnitz, plants can produce:
• Synthetic gasoline
• Synthetic diesel
• Synthetic LPG

Implications for the Future

For the Existing Vehicle Fleet

Synthetic gasoline could provide a solution for the 1.4 billion internal combustion engine vehicles in operation, avoiding:

• Premature decommissioning of functioning cars
• The enormous costs of replacing the entire fleet
• The environmental impact of mass production of new vehicles

For the Auto Industry

If synthetic fuels prove economically viable, manufacturers could:

• Continue developing efficient internal combustion engines
• Invest in optimizing existing technologies
• Offer consumers diverse mobility options

For Infrastructure

Using synthetic gasoline would allow:

• The use of the existing fueling station network
• Avoiding massive investments in charging points
• A more gradual transition to sustainable solutions

Challenges and Perspectives

Although the German test demonstrates the technical viability of synthetic gasoline, important questions remain:

Production costs:

• How economically competitive will synthetic gasoline be?
• What production volumes are required for affordability?

Actual environmental impact:

• What is the full lifecycle emissions balance?
• How efficient is the production process?

Political acceptance:

• Will European lawmakers be willing to reconsider the ban plans?
• How will member states balance between different technologies?

The test conducted in Germany on the Volkswagen Golf 7 1.4 TSI shows that the future of mobility could be more nuanced than initially anticipated. Synthetic fuels offer a third path between full electrification and dependence on fossil fuels, preserving the advantages of internal combustion engines while reducing environmental impact.