The future of transportation fuels
February 11th, 2022
The vital task of reducing greenhouse gas emissions across the transportation sector requires a portfolio of solutions. Discover the lower-emission fuel alternatives ExxonMobil is working on to help power the future of transportation.
Reducing transportation greenhouse gas emissions is essential to managing the global energy transition – particularly as nearly a quarter of worldwide CO2 emissions from energy come from transportation.
ExxonMobil is exploring a mosaic of lower-emission fuel options, including second-generation, or advanced, biofuels and synthetic fuels created by using hydrogen and captured CO2 to form methanol.
Here’s a look at those efforts and the partnerships exploring these solutions.
What is the future of lower-emission fuels?
The ability to fuel transportation that produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions will depend on how lower-emission products are developed today. The adoption of electric vehicles continues to grow, but today that technology is largely used in passenger vehicles. ExxonMobil is working on a number of solutions to help advance new lower-emission fuels within the commercial and heavy-duty sector. Hear from ExxonMobil's chief fuels technology engineer, Krystal Wrigley, on the company's approach.
A portfolio of solutions
23 %
52.6 %
85% Reduction
Emissions
3M Metric tons
ExxonMobil's majority-owned affiliate, Imperial Oil, is moving ahead with plans to produce 20,000 barrels per day of renewable diesel with an anticipated start date of 2024, which could reduce emissions in Canada by about 3 million metric tons per year.
40% Reduction
Stena Bulk, a shipping company, conducted a successful commercial sea trial in 2020 of ExxonMobil's bio-based marine fuel, which has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least one-third, compared with conventional marine fuel oil.4
ExxonMobil has invested in Biojet AS, a Norwegian company that plans to convert wood waste into biofuels. The agreement enables ExxonMobil to purchase as many as 3 million barrels of product per year.
Designing the future of lower-emission transportation fuels is a challenge, but that's what makes it exciting. We are working to solve complex problems to help our world move more efficiently. It is really exciting to see where we can go.
Explore more
From lab to track: our LEFs power Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
- ExxonMobil is Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s official fuel and lubricant provider.
- Our science and technology expertise allows us to deliver custom, advanced products.
- For the 2024 season, we developed a unique lower-emission fuel.
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Fueling the future: Explore our lower emission fueling options for commercial fleets
- Liquid fuels are projected to remain essential for decades to come.
- Renewable diesel offers fleets viable options for emissions reduction on a lifecycle basis.
- We market fuel additives and lower GHG-emission fuels around the globe.
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Can a Cowboy drive an EV? We’re finding out
Key takeaways:
- We’re piloting the use of EVs in our fleet.
- Driving EV pickups in the Permian.
- EVs already in use at our U.S. manufacturing sites.
2 min read
Decarbonization not deindustrialization: Why Europe needs industry to deliver climate solutions
Key takeaways:
- To meet the EU’s net zero 2050 ambitions, industry investments will need to increase significantly.
- ExxonMobil plans to spend $20 billion globally on lower-emission investments from 2022 through 2027, but unless policies change, it will be difficult to spend part of those funds in Europe.
- Policy plays a key role in making Europe attractive for the projects and technologies needed to help advance the energy transition.
3 min read
Globetrotting gearheads fueling F1
Key takeaways:
- Fiona McEwan and Pablo Terroba are ExxonMobil racing technical advisors with the Oracle RedBull F1 racing team.
- They monitor the ExxonMobil fuels and lubricants for wear issues, making their support key to performance.
Let's deliver reduced transportation emissions
Key takeaways:
- A diverse mix of technologies is vital to meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement.
- We need policy that encourages investments in all technologies to reduce emissions.
- Lower-emission fuels offer the potential for customers who cannot or do not want to purchase an EV to still play their part in reducing GHG emissions.
Knock on wood: turning biomass into fuel
- The energy transition will require multiple solutions and collaborations.
- ExxonMobil and the National Renewable Energy lab are testing the conversion of wood waste to bio-oil.
- This oil has the potential to be upgraded into a biofuel for the vehicles we drive today.
The winning formula: Inside Toyota Gazoo Racing
- The FIA World Rally Championship announced a mandatory switch to biofuels
- Toyota Gazoo Racing needed help from Mobil1 to recalibrate its cars to meet new requirements – and fast.
- ExxonMobil developed a new winning formula, resulting in Toyota Gazoo Racing becoming a triple title winner in the Championship.
Strathcona: The road to renewable fuel
Renewable fuel production is ramping up at the Strathcona refinery. With hundreds of employees and contractors, and the capacity to fill 500,000 vehicles per day, this facility could deliver more than 6 million barrels of renewable diesel per year.The future of lower emission transportation fuels
For 30 years, Russ Green has worked primarily in ExxonMobil’s fuels and lubricants businesses. Today Russ is focused on developing lower-emission fuels for the highest emitting industries. Energy Factor recently spoke with Russ about the future of transportation and innovations he’s working on to help lower emissions.Renewable diesel for our changing world
Diesel plays a critical role in enabling modern life. This high-energy fuel packs the power needed for trucking, aviation and maritime transportation – which help move people around the world, and goods from manufacturing sites to our doorsteps.The ‘aha’ moment: Sheryl Rubin-Pitel and Ken Kar
In any scientific endeavor, coming up with the idea is just the first step in the journey to a breakthrough. The finish line of innovation requires the curiosity, patience and resolve to keep working through unexpected setbacks and technical challenges.The ‘aha’ moment: Krystal Wrigley
In any scientific endeavor, coming up with the idea is just the first step in the journey to a breakthrough. The finish line of innovation requires the curiosity, patience and resolve to keep working through unexpected setbacks and technical challenges.The ‘aha’ moment: Meha Shah
In any scientific endeavor, coming up with the idea is just the first step in the journey to a breakthrough. The finish line of innovation requires the curiosity, patience and resolve to keep working through unexpected setbacks and technical challenges.ExxonMobil expands interest in biofuels, acquires stake in Biojet AS
IRVING, Texas – ExxonMobil is expanding its interests in biofuels that can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector, acquiring a 49.9% stake in Biojet AS, a Norwegian biofuels company that plans to convert forestry and wood-based construction waste into lower-emissions biofuels and biofuel components.Keeping wind turbines turning for longer
As renewable energy sources make a growing contribution to meeting Europe’s energy needs, the efficient, reliable operation of critical infrastructure, including wind turbines, is important.3 min read
From farm leftovers to biofuel
Imagine turning agricultural leftovers into low-emission biofuel. That is, taking plant parts like inedible cornstalks and fueling our cars, trucks, boats and planes. ExxonMobil and its partners at Clariant and Genomatica are working together as part of an ambitious research program to do just that.One-of-a-kind partners working on breakthrough innovations
No single company, organization or institution has all the answers when it comes to developing tomorrow’s low-emission energy. That’s why global energy company ExxonMobil is partnering with a range of organizations – including a leading biotechnology company to develop next-generation biofuels and a boutique technology company looking to vacuum carbon dioxide straight from the sky.Lower-emission fuels
Continuing to reduce emissions today and into the future