Todd Anderson, Chief Technology Officer at PHINIA, charts taking the alternative route when it comes to the role of alternative fuels in the clean energy transition
The road to net zero isn’t a single-lane highway, and engines powered by carbon-neutral and carbon-free alternative fuels like hydrogen and ethanol are critical routes running alongside electric vehicles (EVs), especially in applications where EVs face practical limitations. However, realising the full potential of these fuels requires addressing critical infrastructure challenges – a task that demands collaborative efforts similar to those driving the development of EVs.
A regional perspective, including Asia
The journey toward net-zero emissions is far from uniform – it varies dramatically across regions and is shaped by local economic, regulatory, environmental, and infrastructural realities. A prime example is the influence of China’s strong push for low-cost EVs. While this strategy works within China’s robust policy framework and expanding EV infrastructure, it creates a ripple effect in neighbouring regions like Southeast Asia, where the story is quite different.
Southeast Asia often imports used Chinese vehicles once they reach about five years old. While this trend provides affordable transportation options for these markets, it also raises a critical question: how will these countries manage the growing influx of EVs when their power grids are neither equipped to support widespread electrification nor likely to be upgraded to that level in the foreseeable future?
For such regions, the focus must shift toward viable alternatives. Biofuels and ethanol present effective solutions, leveraging existing infrastructure and reducing emissions without requiring a complete overhaul of energy systems. Brazil and India offer excellent examples of how these fuels can succeed in real-world applications.
Adopting 100% ethanol-powered vehicles in Brazil demonstrates how a nation can decarbonise using homegrown solutions. Similarly, India’s integration of hydrogen blends into Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) systems showcases the adaptability of alternative fuels
to local needs.
If we are to reduce emissions on a global scale meaningfully, we must embrace this kind of regional pragmatism. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but we can achieve significant progress in even the most infrastructure-constrained regions with tailored approaches like these.
Building alternative fuels infrastructure
The potential of alternative fuels is undeniable, but the road ahead is not without obstacles, with underdeveloped infrastructure blocking progress. Hydrogen refuelling stations and ethanol distribution networks require significant investment, much like the charging networks, which are critical to developing market adoption of EVs.
For hydrogen, building refuelling stations, ensuring efficient transportation networks, and scaling production all demand significant investment. However, there is a roadmap to follow. Hydrogen is already utilised for many industrial processes, with well-established protocols for handling and storage. This experience provides a solid foundation for expanding hydrogen’s role as a transportation fuel. By leveraging this expertise, we can accelerate the infrastructure development needed to make hydrogen a practical and accessible alternative fuel.
Even with progress in infrastructure, alternative fuels like hydrogen face persistent misconceptions that could slow their adoption. Safety, for example, remains a top concern.
However, modern safety standards and technological understanding ensure that hydrogen can be used and transported securely, just as it has been in industrial applications for decades.
A balanced approach for the automotive industry
The automotive industry is navigating a complex regulatory landscape, with varying emissions standards across regions. Meeting these requirements while delivering practical solutions requires a balanced approach. This is where the aftermarket sector plays a pivotal role.
By keeping existing vehicles on the road longer and optimising their efficiency with quality parts, we can reduce the carbon cost associated with manufacturing new vehicles. This strategy is particularly relevant in mature markets like North America and Europe, where the average vehicle age exceeds 11 years. Maintaining and upgrading these vehicles with high-performance quality parts offers a tangible way to improve efficiencies today while minimising carbon-generating actions.
Achieving net-zero: The road ahead
Achieving net-zero emissions is a monumental task that requires more than a one-size-fits-all solution. EVs will undoubtedly play a crucial role, but alternative fuels like hydrogen and ethanol used to power engine propulsion are equally important in the journey. We can unlock their full potential by investing in infrastructure, offering tailored local solutions, and addressing misconceptions.
The clean energy transition isn’t a sprint – it’s a marathon. By embracing a diverse range of solutions, we can advance a sustainable future with the urgency required for decarbonisation goals. After all, the road to net zero is paved not with perfection, but with progress.
