00:23 01-02-2026

Volkswagen develops eFuel detection technology for synthetic fuels

The Volkswagen Group is developing synthetic fuels (eFuel) and has patented a system that can determine the composition of fuel in a vehicle. Porsche, which is part of the VW Group, previously announced its focus on eFuels. This technology involves producing liquid gasoline from hydrogen and carbon dioxide.

Interest in such solutions has grown following European Union regulations related to the ban on internal combustion engines from 2035. An exception is provided for the approval of low-carbon synthetic fuels: the car must be able to recognize that it is filled with eFuel, not conventional gasoline, and otherwise should shut down.

The Volkswagen patent describes a "method and system for detecting fuel composition." It proposes creating a "digital twin" of eFuel—a computer representation that a sensor in the car can use to compare fuel parameters. The plan also includes adding a special marker at one stage of the supply chain. This could be a chemical substance not typical for gasoline and safe for the engine; physical markers are also mentioned. The system will check not only for the presence of the marker but also its concentration.

The authors of the article note that this approach will require coordinated efforts from market participants and the fuel supply chain.