Kraftstoffe für Motoren der Zukunft – Ökologie versus Ökonomie

Authors

Dipl.-Ing. Dr. Walter Böhme, OMV AG

Year

2006

Summary

In Europe the demand for alternative fuels is driven by the need to reduce dependence on oil, support the rural economy and minimise CO2 emissions from the ever growing transport sector. EU and member state policies have defined the economic conditions under which new fuel components such as Biofuels may be introduced (e.g. reduced or zero rated fuel duty). Vehicle manufacturers also influence the adoption of Biofuels by innovations in engine technology that determine which fuels can be utilised. Within this framework the role of the fuel manufacturer is to satisfy the needs of the market by providing fuels of the appropriate quality at a reasonable cost. The fuels of the future will therefore depend upon both the direction of developments in engine technology and the goals of the legislators. However it is clear that the use of improved fuels or new fuel components within the existing infrastructure has the potential to have the greatest impact in the short to medium term and avoids the high investment costs associated with the introduction of completely new fuel/vehicle systems which typically suffer from poor economies of scale due to low initial demand.

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