Porsche is investing US$75 million in HIF Global LLC, a holding company of internationally active project developers of eFuel production facilities. Among other projects, the Santiago de Chile-based company is building the Haru Oni eFuel pilot plant in Punta Arenas (Chile). (Earlier post.)

Punta Arenas pilot plant under construction

Initiated by Porsche and implemented with partners including Siemens Energy and ExxonMobil, production of eFuels from hydrogen and CO₂ using wind energy is expected to start there in mid-2022. These electricity-based synthetic fuels enable nearly-CO₂-neutral operation of combustion engines.

With its investment in HIF Global LLC, Porsche is participating in an international financing round alongside the Chilean company Andes Mining & Energy (AME) and the American companies EIG, Baker Hughes Company and Gemstone Investments. In total, an amount in the low nine-figure USD range is flowing into HIF Global LLC.

AME remains the majority shareholder of HIF Global LLC. The additional capital will be used to develop industrial eFuel facilities in Chile, the US and Australia, which have large supplies of renewable energy.

EFuels make an important contribution to climate protection and complement our electromobility in a meaningful way. By investing in industrial eFuel production, Porsche is further expanding its commitment to sustainable mobility. In total, our investment in the development and provision of this innovative technology amounts to more than US$100 million.

—Barbara Frenkel, Member of the Executive Board for Procurement at Porsche AG

Porsche has been researching the use of renewable fuels for some time. Tests in the laboratory and on the race track are proceeding successfully:

Porsche initially plans to use the eFuel from Chile in motorsport flagship projects. In the future, it is also conceivable that they will be used to fuel the company’s own vehicles with combustion engines during initial fueling at the factory, and at Porsche Experience Centers. Porsche’s transaction to acquire a stake in HIF Global LLC is subject to approval by the relevant antitrust authorities.