The first, of course, is to be clear about what we are talking about: Do you know what a 100% renewable fuel is? Because if I tell you the truth I had some idea but I recognize that I was not “put” on the subject as much as I believed.
Until I heard the presentation that those responsible for these Repsol products explained perfectly: A renewable fuel is not the same as a biofuel than the so-called e-fuel.
Now I have it clear. And they have convinced me of the benefits of their project and these fuels.
Besides; Yeah. They are already a palpable realitythat You can buytry, smell and burn in your engine.
Repositing with five -liter carafes of this new fuel, with a mixture, like a lifetime, to the legendary MK2 shrapnel. No difference: it only seems that it smells something lessRepsol (Lluis Llurba)
Renewable fuels: zero CO2, net rate
To start, a renewable fuel It is the one whose CO2 contribution rate to the atmosphere turns out to be zeroafter all its useful life. That is, from its creation or manufacturing to its consumption.
And the way that zero is reached: The 1980 GTS shrapnel engine that we have used in this test, emits zero CO2 to the atmosphere? What kind of catalysts or technology or magic have you used?
No, it emits the same more or less than when it was manufactured. So, How do you get that zero rate?
Well, what is behind this magic is that technologyin this case, of Repol.
To Manufacture these biofuels Organic waste is used: used oils, pruning remains, nuts of nuts, etc … raw materials that have previously removed that CO2 from the atmosphere.
In it use of that biofuel The CO2 generated -Inovitably- in combustion is balanced with that other that has been collected from the atmosphere, with the result after its use of having achieved that zero increase rate in CO2 generation.
And yes, they also take into account the CO2 generated by the transport of biofuel and in all the necessary processes to reach your deposit.
The Museum of the Spanish Moto of Alcalá de Henares has been the Repsol partner in this test, giving a good squad of Spanish classics. All rolled with total correction with this fuel.Repsol (Lluis Llurba)
Biofuel and synthetic fuel “E-Fuel”: Isn’t it the same?
There are no important and interesting differences and this is a turning point in this “space-time continuum” that they would say in the cinema.
A biofuel is processed from these organic waste. Its contribution to this CO2 cycle is basically in that previous withdrawal of CO2 of the atmosphere and another of its advantages, and more in a country like ours, is to reduce the energy dependence of other countries by not requiring oil for its manufacture.
And this is the present to a point that you may not imagine: currently, in Spain, by law, any gasoline of the one you are throwing every day already incorporates a minimum of 10% biofuel.
And Synthetic fuelalso called e-fuelit is even more “futuristic”: you get hydrogen from the water through electrolysis (using, of course, electricity from renewable sources) and captures, by industrial processes, that CO2 of the air.
Mixing those two components generate a completely synthetic fuel. This type of fuel is for now more complex and is not yet in marketing But there are already pilot projects for that industrialization that makes it another viable alternative.
Our 1980 GTS shrapnel started, rolled and arrived exactly the same as if he had shot with his “lifelong” gasoline.Repsol (Lluis Llurba)
And where do I get that renewable gasoline?
Los Repsol renewable fuels are already available for sale. For now is the fuel for diesel cycle The most widespread is, with a presence in almost 900 brand service stations.
The, let’s call it renewable gasoline (I don’t know if the term will be very correct), it starts to implement now. Only in Madridin the Gas station of the racecourse, this 100% renewable fuel is already available since it has served as a test point.
And not, It is not very expensivealthough Nor is it especially cheap.
For now, the Repsol policy with the price of these biofuels It is assimilating that of fossil fuels (the usual) of premium range. That is to say, 100% renewable gasoline will cost the same as 98 octane gasoline.
MK2 shrapnel and GTS, Vespa 125 and 200, Bultaco Matador, Impala Sport and Tourism, Ossa 160 and even a 155 “model 2” of 1960. A good summary of what the Spanish classics are in this test.Repsol (Lluis Llurba)
Rolling with biofuel … in a GTS shrapnel of 1980
And not only with the shrapnel. He Museum of the Spanish Motorcycle of Alcalá de Henares, Motos Made in Spain It has served as repsol In this special presentation and has made available to the press a few Spanish classic motorcycles to prove that This fuelundoubtedly paradigm of modern mobility.
It is used for all gasoline enginesincluding these “relics” with wheels, some of them with more than 60 years.
Impala Tourism, Bultaco Alpina, Vespa 125 and 200, MK2 shrapnel and Impala Sport 250 They are some of the motorcycles that we have seen, along with a couple of Matador MK9 and MK10the Spanish “trail” of the 70s, Bones 160in a state of conservation, without restoring and the most veteran of all, a Bultaco 155 of 1960.
In our case We have shot with a GTS 250 “sticks” shrapnelthat latest version of the shrapnel, with disc brakes and that only motorcycle readers They will know why a couple of years have published a precisely this unit test, which gives us a better position to check How is this fuel.
I can assure you – and this shrapnel and I know each other well – that the motorcycle did not appreciate any difference with this fuel. Maybe even slowed down.Repsol (Lluis Llurba)
And the first thing is refuel. Repsol has led to the museum, where this presentation starts, cans with this fuel. The mixturefor these 2T engines is made with the same proportion usual, in this case 3%, of normally used oil.
There is no difference at this point. Throwing it in the deposit I would say that it looks clearer, more transparent. And another detail that attracts attention is that yes, It smells like gasoline, but much softer: A less intense and penetrating smell.
No visible changes but with invisible improvements
From there, open taps -the shrapnel carries two and it is convenient to open both -contact, two kicks and is underway. This shrapnel is something fine carburation And with the cold engine it has a tendency to stay, a few seconds, somewhat accelerated in its normal use. And with this fuel it does exactly the same. First, drag the clutch, as a good cold, and leave.
A few minutes later I have forgotten the gasoline I carry. Sounds the same, it smells the same, accelerates the same and do not notice absolutely no difference to when you carry it with gasoline “always”.
It is quite impressive when you stop to think that you are rolling with a fuel that has not departed from oil. Seen that is not expensive, of course.
Has not required absolutely any intervention or adaptation in the engine or in any component or for this test or to return, when this tank is emptied, to normal gasoline.
The test consisted of a route of about 60 km starting from the museum facilities and touring urban part and part of the road. Without important incidents due to the “gasoline” used.Repsol (Lluis Llurba)
And not just shrapnel. The rest of the participating motorcyclesall replaced before us without trap or cardboard, They worked perfectlywithin what can be expected of these “grandmother”: only one of the Impala gave some problem and is not attributable to gasoline but to a spark plug in poor condition. Change it and keep running.
So why am I going to throw this fuel?
Well, indeed, You do not appreciate differences between the use of this new fuel and the usual gasoline. Not at least Benefits you see in the short term.
This gas is for now equivalent to a 95 octane and is worth 98. That, in principle, plays against him. But it does Clear benefits.
The first, of an ecological order, is simply that Zero CO2 emission rate to the atmosphere. But of course, this will be more or less interesting depending on your own consciousness, not for anything else.
This renewable fuel, from waste of plant origin, has a net CO2 rate equivalent to zero: what you emit your engine has previously removed from the atmosphere.Repsol (Lluis Llurba)
Repsol is raising than in future Evolutions of anti -enclosure regulations The use of these fuels is taken into account, with systems such as special deposit tickets that only allow this use, engine sensors and other similar ones, so that the vehicles are so equipped have Better label That those who do not, for example.
He Second benefitand it is also another issue of conscience, it is economic type, but Not for your pocket but for the country: logically the more of this fuel is used, Less oil must be bought outside. Y Space It can precisely be all a power in this of the use of these waste of plant origin.
In addition, logically, if all the potential of this industry, They will be generated jobs and wealth for the country: Repsol a Factory in Cartagena that more than 900,000 tons of these fuels (HVO, that is, renewable diesel and other similar for aviation and the like) and is working to open a New plant in Puertollano.
Past and future United in this Repsol event: a classic of the 80s, rolling in open traffic, with a renewable fuel of the 21st century.Repsol (Lluis Llurba)
He third It is perhaps the most objective and close to the user of these benefits, but The most difficult to see: according to Repsol studies, this fuel generates fewer coal poses inside the engine and keeps it cleaner. It seems logical, right? In the background there is greater control in the production process and it will be more “pure.”
