New combustion BMWs to come with a tank of synthetic fuel
BMW believes that electric cars are not the only key to decarbonization and, starting from 2028, the company’s combustion engine models built in Germany will leave the factory with a tank full of synthetic e-fuel.
The manufacturer says e-fuel has a carbon footprint up to 90% lower than regular petrol, although experts point out this only applies if the electricity used to make the fuel comes from sustainable sources.
The synthetic fuel, which currently still requires large amounts of energy to create, is compatible with modern engines designed to run on E10 (a 10% ethanol blend) and will work not only in new cars but also in existing ones without modification.
Germany’s eFuel One, collaborating with BMW, is currently building a factory in the German state of Lower Saxony, where production is set to begin in 2028 with a planned annual capacity of 75 million litres.
“At the heart of this pioneering partnership is a clear commitment to the use of CO2-reduced fuels in order to actively support the climate targets of German and European legislation,” said the eFuel One statement.
The move comes amid ongoing discussion in Europe over the planned final cut-off for the sale of diesel and petrol cars.
The EU’s ban on new combustion engine cars is set to take effect in 2035, aiming to reduce carbon emissions to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. The measure is up for review at the end of the year.
BMW is among several German manufacturers calling for the phase-out to be postponed to allow the continued sale of petrol-electric hybrids and cars using synthetic fuels alongside battery-electrics.
“We are convinced that all drive systems must contribute to climate neutrality,” Glenn Schmidt, Head of Sustainability at BMW, told visitors at an event at the firm’s Berlin motorcycle plant, Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport car magazine reported.
Since the beginning of 2025, all new BMW diesel vehicles from Germany have been sold with the more climate-friendly biofuel HVO.
