German car manufacturer Audi makes e-diesel from air, water

Berlin, April 27:Germany's luxury car manufacturer company Audi has reportedly invented a carbon-neutral diesel fuel, made solely from water, carbon dioxide and renewable energy sources, media reported on Monday.

German Federal Minister of Education and Research Johanna Wanka is reportedly using the crystal clear e-fuel to power his A8.

The invention of the e fuel is seen as huge step forward for sustainable transport and the fact that it's being backed by an automotive giant is even more exciting.

The car manufacturer has now set up a pilot plant in Dresden in Germany to pump out 160 litres of the synthetic diesel every day in the coming months.

The blue crude as termed by the company has been made by using a three-step process. The first step involves harvesting renewable energy from sources such as wind, solar and hydropower. They then use this energy to split water into oxygen and pure hydrogen, using a process known as reversible electrolysis.

This hydrogen is then mixed with carbon monoxide, which is created from carbon dioxide that's been harvested from the atmosphere. The two react at high temperatures and under pressure, resulting in the production of the long-chain hydrocarbon compounds that make up the blue crude.

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