In the current discussions about electromobility and renewable energies, it may seem surprising that classic cars of all things could play a role in the sustainability debate.
The MG Car Club is one of the most traditional automobile brand clubs in the world. It was founded in England in 1930 and today has over 30,000 members worldwide. As an "Affiliated Center" of the MG Car Club in England, the MG Car Club Germany currently has more than 1000 members.
As tradition obliges, the MG Car Club Deutschland e.V. has aimed to ensure CO2 neutrality at club events with its latest activities, the club initiative "Move Green".
The activities are not just symbolic in nature, but active steps towards climate protection. The idea is simple to implement: emissions caused by kilometers driven on club outings are offset by supporting corresponding projects in Germany. It began in 2020 with the purchase of CO2-neutral fuel on a certificate basis; this year, this is the renaturation of moors in northern Germany. This is undoubtedly a welcome step, but the real highlight is the use of eFuel.
CO2-neutral fuel
eFuel, or "carbon neutral fuel", is a synthetic fuel. Using renewable energy, such as wind and solar power, methanol is produced from hydrogen and CO2 through air capture, which is then further processed into kerosene, diesel or gasoline. The processes have been known and tested since the 1930s.
Four selected vehicles from the club were refueled with such an eFuel from the company P1 during the "Murginsel Treffen" this August in Gernsbach. These vehicles arrived with an empty tank and were almost completely supplied with eFuel. As a result, there were no noticeable differences in driving behavior compared to conventional petrol.
During this campaign, it was noticeable that eFuel has less odor than conventional fuel. A pleasant side effect that indicates the purity of this synthetic fuel. This aspect is particularly noteworthy as it not only reduces the environmental impact, but also improves the driving experience for the participants themselves.
Thinking ahead
But why should the MG Car Club's experiment be of interest? The answer lies in the ambitious vision of the club members. They understand that sustainability is not just for the future, but also for the present. There are over 1.3 billion conventionally powered vehicles worldwide that can actively help to reduce CO2 emissions by using eFuel to support climate protection. However, decarbonization must begin quickly if we want to tackle the climate crisis. And the problem-free use of eFuel in classic cars suggests that eFuels could also be a promising alternative for more modern vehicles. The MG Car Club Deutschland e.V. has therefore also joined the eFuel Alliance to actively support the use of eFuels.
The challenge is obvious: the production of eFuel must be increased and made more cost-effective in order to be accessible to the mass market. The use of eFuel is already certified by some vehicle manufacturers. Now the potential must be recognized by the government and its use permitted. The high production costs are often cited as an argument against eFuels. However, eFuel producers are now in a position to ramp up production capacities. Production costs in the region of around 80 EUR cents per liter are communicated, which can be achieved in around 10 years. The course must therefore now be set - especially from the political side. Accelerated eFuel production supports climate protection through immediately effective decarbonization.
The initiative of the MG Car Club Germany is therefore not just a symbolic act, but a fine example of how innovation and tradition can go hand in hand to reduce environmental impact. The discussion with visitors to events is stimulated and shows the potential of eFuel in particular for rapid decarbonization. The local press response in particular was very positive and underlined how such practical campaigns can promote openness to new ways of protecting the environment. Well-executed actions will be received much more positively than discussions!
