Audi E-Gas Factory Complete and Producing Carbon Neutral Methane

AudiAudiGermany, 1909 > present83 models
8213 photos
27 videos
has officially opened its E-Gas facility in Wertle, Germany, that will supply methane produced via electrolysis to the German grid. The system uses water, carbon dioxide and electricity to produce methane. Vehicles that use the methane from the E-Gas facility will be carbon neutral.

“Audi is the only manufacturer worldwide with such innovative technology. Research into synthetic, environment-friendly fuels is the core of our vigorous e-fuels strategy,” said Heinz Hollerweger, Audi Head of Total Vehicle Development.

The factory produces electricity from wind turbines and uses it to break down water into oxygen and hydrogen. The hydrogen is combined with waste CO2 to produce methane, which can be distributed through the current natural gas network. The first methane will be sent to the grid in the fall, and it will make 1,000 metric tons of methane per year.

In theory, the hydrogen could simply be used to fuel vehicles, but Audi does not believe there is enough of an infrastructure for hydrogen yet.

The only waste products from the E-Gas plant are water and oxygen. The heat produced is sent to a local biogas plant.

The only Audi in its current range that can use the E-Gas is the Audi A3Audi A3 Gen.3 [Typ 8V]Germany, 2012 > present275 versions
591 photos
g-tron, but it will not be on sale until late in the year. Audi will be adding more methane-fueled cars to its range soon.

Because the Audi E-Gas is just being supplied to the general methane grid, buyers of the A3 g-tron estimate the amount of fuel that they will use in a year when they buy the car. Audi will then make sure to supply that amount of methane to the grid to make the A3 g-tron carbon neutral.

Audi is also working on developing e-ethanol and e-diesel from microorganisms, salt water, sunlight and CO2 that can create synthetic fuel.