The future of transportation fuels

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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 %

Transportation makes up 23% of the global energy-related CO2 emissions.1

52.6 %

Of that, heavy transportation (trucking, aviation, shipping and rail) makes up 52.6% of the total transportation sector's CO2 emissions.2
Greenhouse gas emissions

85% Reduction

ExxonMobil is working with Porsche to test eFuels, a synthetic product made from hydrogen. When blended to current market fuel standards for today's passenger vehicles, eFuels could reduce up to 85% of greenhouse gas emissions from passenger vehicles.3

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.

CO2 Emissions

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.
Krystal Wrigley

ExxonMobil's chief fuels technology engineer

Explore more

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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.

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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.

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Lets deliver sustainable aviation fuel with our existing infrastructure in France

Let’s deliver sustainable aviation fuel – with our existing infrastructure in France

Three key takeaways:

  • Global air travel demand is increasing.
  • Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) presents an opportunity to reduce emissions.
  • Co-processing can help accelerate the energy transition.

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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.

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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. 

Lower-emission transportation Perspective

The future of lower emission transportation fuels

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.

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Imperial Oil’s Strathcona Refinery in Alberta, Canada surrounded by fall colored trees

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.

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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.

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The aha moment: Sheryl Rubin-Pitel and Ken Kar

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.

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Women wearing a lab coat with safety goggles in lab

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.

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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.

News News releases

From farm leftovers to biofuel

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.

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One-of-a-kind partners working on breakthrough innovations

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.

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Transforming transportation

Transforming transportation

Continuing to reduce emissions today and into the future

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Lower emissions at high altitude

New solutions from takeoff to touchdown

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red semi truck

Heavy duty with a lighter CO2 footprint

Moving the world’s goods with fewer emissions

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blue car on road

Hitting the road with fewer emissions

The innovations fueling today’s products and tomorrow’s solutions

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Cargo ship at sea with red and green bins

High science on the high seas

Advancing new technologies for lower-emission fuels

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Racecar

A new breed of racing, built on new technology

Fans rarely see the fluids inside a race car, but they are the hidden workhorses for race day success. Same for the engineers developing those fluids and lubes. And, activating the dynamic science behind race car performance requires the very same dedication and precision found on the racetrack itself.

Automotive Perspective