Transport decarbonisation involves many approaches. Fuel quality is one of several measures that can support broader climate objectives alongside cleaner vehicles, improved efficiency and other technologies.
Fuel formulation can influence greenhouse gas emissions, although climate outcomes depend on a range of factors across the fuel and transport system.
Up to 19%
lower CO₂ emissions
Fuel ethers can reduce well-to-wheel CO₂ emissions compared with non-oxygenated gasoline.
Well-to-wheel counts the fuel's whole path — production, distribution and combustion — rather than the tailpipe alone.
Source: ERG, Carbon Footprint of Oxygenated Gasolines in France, December 2022.
A fuel’s climate impact is not limited to emissions from the vehicle. It also includes emissions associated with producing, processing and distributing the fuel.
Well-to-wheel assessments consider emissions across two main stages:
Well-to-tank
Emissions from fuel production, processing and distribution.
Tank-to-wheel
Emissions from fuel use in the vehicle.
Well-to-tank
Fuel production and processing
→
Fuel distribution
→
Tank-to-wheel
Vehicle use
Well-to-wheel
Both stages together — the basis for the 19% figure above.