Bosch, Shell, and Volkswagen develop renewable gasoline

The new fuel contains up to 33% of renewables that help reduce CO2 emissions significantly.

Following on from R33 Blue Diesel, Bosch, Shell, and Volkswagen have now come up with a low-carbon gasoline.

Their new fuel, called Blue Gasoline, similarly contains up to 33% renewables, ensuring a well-to-wheel reduction in carbon emissions of at least 20% per kilometre driven.

Shell will offset the remaining carbon emissions from the use of Blue Gasoline through certified offset arrangements. The initial plan is to make the fuel available at regular gas stations over the course of the year, starting in Germany. The aim is for the price at the pump to be in the range of premium fuels such as Shell V-Power.

“On the road to climate-friendly mobility, we must ensure we don’t leave any technical opportunities untapped, starting with electromobility and ending with renewable fuels. Every bit of CO₂ we save can help us achieve our climate targets,” says Dr. Uwe Gackstatter, president of the Bosch Powertrain Solutions division.

The proportion of up to 33% renewables is made up of biomass-based naphtha or ethanol certified by the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) system. One source of such naphtha is what is known as tall oil, a by-product in the production of pulp for paper. But naphtha can also be obtained from other residual and waste materials.