"Electric Vehicle Transition Alone Is Not Enough" What Are Other Carbon Neutrality Measures?

2023 International Symposium on Eco-Friendly Fuels
Lee Ki-hyung, Hanyang University Vice President for Industry-Academic Cooperation
"Need for Portfolio Diversification Using Eco-Friendly Fuels"
Calls for Active Use of e-Fuels and Biofuels
Demand for Measures for Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles to Last Decades

"When you eat bad food, bad waste comes out, and when you eat good food, good waste comes out. If you use eco-friendly fuel, less carbon dioxide (CO2) will be emitted, and then electric vehicles, hybrids, and internal combustion engines will each have their own significance, realizing carbon neutrality."

On the 11th, at the '2023 International Symposium on Eco-friendly Fuels' hosted by the Korea Automobile Journalists Association, the U.S. Embassy in Korea, and the U.S. Grains Council, Lee Ki-hyung, Vice President of Industry-Academia Cooperation at Hanyang University, made these remarks. While vehicle electrification can be one solution to carbon neutrality, it should not be the only solution. He added, "It is important to actively utilize biofuels, e-fuels (renewable synthetic fuels), and expand the portfolio of fuels and technologies."

Professor Lee Ki-hyung of Hanyang University’s Department of Mechanical Engineering is presenting at the 2023 International Symposium on Eco-Friendly Fuels held on the 11th.
[Photo by Korea Automobile Journalists Association]

There is an opinion that carbon neutrality policies cannot be realized by simply switching vehicles to electric or hydrogen cars. Experts agree that true carbon neutrality can only be achieved by using various eco-friendly fuels.

Vice President Lee said that as CO2 emission regulations have tightened worldwide, electric vehicles have emerged as an alternative. However, even if the vehicle itself emits no CO2, carbon neutrality policies should consider CO2 emissions from the production process through LCA (Life Cycle Assessment).

He added, "For example, earlier generations before the Kona electric vehicle emitted more total CO2 than the Ioniq hybrid vehicle," and said that by optimizing hybrid engine efficiency and properly implementing electrification plans, CO2 emissions can be reduced.

Vice President Lee argued that the carbon neutrality portfolio should be diversified through ▲internal combustion engine technology development (carbon recycling technology, ultra-lean combustion) ▲use of eco-friendly fuels (such as biofuels) ▲pure hydrogen engines.

Sergeant Professor from Hanyang University Department of Chemical Engineering is presenting at the 2023 International Symposium on Eco-friendly Fuels held on the 11th. [Photo by Korea Automobile Journalists Association]

Among fuels for carbon neutrality, e-fuels (renewable synthetic fuels) are gaining attention. They start by obtaining energy eco-friendly from solar, wind, and hydro power. This energy is combined with water and pressurized to produce hydrogen molecules (H2). The produced hydrogen and carbon dioxide captured from the surrounding air are put into a compressor to create e-methanol. After specific processes, it can be converted into various fuels such as e-gasoline.

Since e-fuels have the same components as conventional gasoline, they can be used directly in internal combustion engine vehicles. This has the advantage of contributing to carbon neutrality while using existing infrastructure as is. Compared to storing electricity in batteries, storing energy in chemical form allows for long-term storage and minimizes energy loss. However, it has not yet been commercialized due to lower energy efficiency than electric vehicles and high production costs.

Professor Sang Byung-in of Hanyang University's Department of Chemical Engineering said, "Waiting only for the spread of electric vehicles is like saying, 'A pill that makes you lose weight immediately will come out in 2030, so eat as much as you want now,'" and emphasized, "We must also consider ways to reduce CO2 emissions from internal combustion engine vehicles, which number over 20 million on the road every year."