Net-Zero Carbon Fuel

Transportation accounts for nearly one-fourth of carbon emissions globally, and in line with their goal to reach net-zero carbon by 2040, Amazon has already made a commitment to electric delivery vehicles. But it also recently invested in a new startup that will enable larger cargo ships, trucks and jets to be “decarbonized” by converting hydrogen and waste CO2 into “electrofuel.”

The method uses renewable power to generate “green” hydrogen from water. CO2 captured from fuel production plants (such as ethanol plants) is combined with the hydrogen in a specialized reactor. The resulting “syngas” can be used to synthesize high-value marine, jet and diesel fuels that can be used in existing cargo vehicles. Although thsey will still emit CO2, the process adds no additional greenhouse gases to the atmosphere because it utilizes waste CO2 in the manufacturing process.

The next step will be to develop a means for pulling CO2 directly from the atmosphere, which will bring down the cost and enable more flexibility in locating reactors close to solar, wind and other renewable power sources. Commercial volumes of the new fuel will be available within several years.