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 .

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

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.

Lower-emission transportation Perspective

Imperial Oilโ€™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.

Lower-emission transportation Perspective

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.

Lower-emission transportation Perspective

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.

Lower-emission transportation Perspective

Scientist with blue lab coat and purple gloves in lab

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.

Lower-emission transportation Perspective

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

Projections that the global middle class will increase by 1.7 billion people over the next two decades means a lot more energy will be needed in the years ahead to move planes, trains and automobiles.

Automotive Energy Factor

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.

Trucking Energy Factor

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 Energy Factor

Drivers don’t often think of the science behind getting more mileage out of their fuel tanks. So they might not know that engine lubricants play an important role in helping cars run longer with less fuel.

Automotive Energy Factor

Chances are, you’ve heard of motor oil. But do you know why it’s important? And what about grease? Or gear oil?

Automotive Energy Factor

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.

Aviation Energy Factor

If you are reading this on a phone, tablet or laptop, you should probably thank Dr. M. Stanley Whittingham. In the 1970s Dr. Whittingham was working at ExxonMobil’s Clinton, New Jersey, corporate research lab when he created the very first examples of a radical new technology: the rechargeable lithium-ion battery.

Automotive Energy Factor

Asia’s love of cars is evolving into the hottest market in the world, and as that trend matures, so too will the technology driving new efficiencies. In fact, through 2040, the region will see the largest growth in access to cars, driving a huge demand not just in the fuel pumped into their tanks, but also the materials to produce them.

Automotive Energy Factor

With more than 20,000 scientists and engineers around the world, ExxonMobil is a leader in energy innovation.

Automotive Energy Factor

Ask any child what they want to do when they grow up, and chances are being a race car driver will top a few lists. It’s no surprise, given the excitement and adrenaline rush spectators feel when watching world-class drivers speed their cars toward a checkered flag – a feeling that helps make motor racing one of the most popular sports in the world.

Automotive Energy Factor

Researching algae takes science, sunshine, some very large ponds and the right kind of algae. Scaling algae production to have the technical ability to produce 10,000 barrels of algae biofuel a day is an ambitious target.

Shipping Energy Factor

If you had told me a few years ago that one day I’d be farming algae with the hope of creating a reliable, low-emission energy source, I probably would have been a little skeptical. But that’s exactly what I do. I’m a chemical engineer, and my job, like every engineer, is to solve problems for a better future.

Shipping Energy Factor

As a driver, you arrive at the pump ready to fuel up with your usual premium or regular gas. You probably don’t realize there’s more to your fuel choice than meets the eye.

Automotive Energy Factor

To meet the world’s ever-growing energy demand and reduce the risk of climate change, ExxonMobil is forging research partnerships across industries and academia. Two areas of focus include the development of low-emission biofuels and of cost-effective carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology.

Shipping Energy Factor

Everyone needs to get from A to B – and often you need to get there by car. To get the most out of every mile – and gallon of gas – it’s helpful to remember a few simple ways to enhance fuel economy and extend the journey.

Automotive Energy Factor

Viridos, Inc. (formerly Synthetic Genomics, Inc.) and ExxonMobil have worked together for a decade now, driven by a single goal: Create a pathway to refine algae oils into low-emission diesel that can power trucks, boats, even planes.

Aviation Energy Factor

The world’s fleet of cargo ships plays a vital role in our lives, as almost 90 percent of international cargo gets delivered by sea. From food to furniture, and fuel to pharmaceuticals – if you buy a product which came from another country, it is likely to have travelled by cargo ship.

Shipping Energy Factor

What if there were a way to increase an electric vehicle’s (EV’s) energy efficiency by 3 to 7 percent? A recent ExxonMobil study has revealed that proper tire inflation can do just that.

Automotive Energy Factor