BMWs to run on vegetables

[dan_b]

Does this really actually make any difference whatsoever?

https://electrek.co/2024/12/16/bmw-is-n ... table-oil/

[Countrypaul]

I notice they are using hydrogen to remove the oxygen from the triesters with no comment about where the hydrogen comes from which presumably means natural gas so FF.

[Stinsy]

Does this really actually make any difference whatsoever?

https://electrek.co/2024/12/16/bmw-is-n ... table-oil/

More FF industry bullshit!

"Just stick with ICEVs there is a new technology that'll make them not so bad for the environment just around the corner"

[NoraBatty]

And the renewables haters complain that solar farms take precious land away from food growing! .
Growing millions of acres of largely inedible crops just to have enough bio oil to replace a proportion of diesel in combustion engines, Sounds like a great plan

[Mart]

I assume (dangerous I know, but I'm going to) that it's nigh on impossible to produce enough bio/synthetic fuel for the World's current ICE fleet. Plus, it won't help much with localised emissions from the tailpipe.

If only there was a far simpler way to power vehicles?

[Stig]

If only there was a far simpler way to power vehicles?

Perhaps they could try running them on BS, there never seems to be a shortage of that from the FF lobby!

[Paul_F]

I assume (dangerous I know, but I'm going to) that it's nigh on impossible to produce enough bio/synthetic fuel for the World's current ICE fleet. Plus, it won't help much with localised emissions from the tailpipe.

The big issue isn't the world ICE fleet. It's that a whole bunch of industries are all saying that they could be decarbonised by taking up all the world's supply of biofuels for their particular industry. Given this is a few litres of fuel per car when they leave the factory, it's purely a publicity stunt.
The reality is that if we use biofuels for all land, sea and air transport plus home heating and chemical feedstocks and industrial heat then we need to turn the planet vegetarian. The only way that is happening is to jack up food prices massively - by pushing up the value of biofuels. As soon as you do that, biofuels for road transport are no longer cost-effective and they'll be out-competed by BEVs - something that is already on the verge of happening with much cheaper fossil fuels.

Reality is that we're almost certain to see biofuels taking over as a plastics feedstock, and then see aviation and sea transport (both of which critically need storable fuels) fighting for the remaining feedstock since they are less cost-sensitive. My best guess is that both will use biofuels as transitional fuels before gradually switching over to Hydrogen for long-haul, and batteries for short haul shipping + mix of batteries + SAF (bio or e-fuels) for short haul flights.

[Stinsy]

I really think we need to reserve biofuels for the more-difficult problems to solve. Long haul aviation for example, or heavy plant a long way from civilisation.

However biofuels are a really good excuse to carry on as we are. "It's OK biofuels will be along shortly".

[dan_b]

Biofuels for aviation and shipping are going to be the short-term solution for a fair while yet I agree.

[spread-tee]

Shouldn't that be "BMWs driven by vegetables"?..............