Advanced BioFuels USA

(AutoEvolution) A gorgeous Azure Purple Bentley Flying Spur Hybrid prototype just drove across Iceland using only energy from waste straw and the power of electricity. The luxury sedan covered 455 miles (733 km) in total on a combination of second-generation biofuel and geothermally sourced electricity (from the Icelandic power grid).

This journey was also meant as a validation of Bentley’s research into biofuels, which can be used without any engine modifications. The fuel they used in this Flying Spur conforms to the same EN228 standard as ordinary pump gasoline, despite being made entirely from waste biomass (straw), without negatively impacting foot production or the ecosystem.

Using this fuel, together with the Flying Spur Hybrid’s electrified powertrain, resulted in an overall CO2 reduction of 45%.  READ MORE

Bentley creates Flying Spur hybrid that can travel 733km using only renewable fuel (Electric & Hybrid)

BENTLEY FLYING SPUR HYBRID GOES GREEN CROSSES ICELAND ON E-100 ETHANOL AND GREEN ELECTRIC (The Auto Channel)

Bentley Flying Spur Hybrid drives across Iceland using only renewable energy (ZigWheels)

Biofuels for Bentley – Bentley Flying Spur Hybrid crosses Iceland using biofuel made of waste straw (Biofuels Digest)

Excerpt from Electric & Hybrid:  The 100% renewable, second generation biofuel used was developed by Coryton, which is supporting Bentley in renewable fuel research. The production process sees waste biomass (e.g. straw) broken down using fermentation, leading to the creation of ethanol. Dehydration of the ethanol converts it to ethylene, which can then be transformed into gasoline through the process of oligomerization – chaining short hydrocarbon molecules together to produce longer, more energy-dense ones. READ MORE

Excerpt from Biofuels Digest: The biofuels industry isn’t crazy about EVs because it threatens their livelihood and vice versa. But here in Bentley’s hybrid, electricity and biofuels live in happy harmony.

The Azure Purple Flying Spur Hybrid’s journey is validation both of the grand touring range of Bentley’s new Hybrid – the second to be launched following the Bentayga Hybrid – and of Bentley’s research into biofuels that can be used without engine modification.

Renewable fuel defines a significant step towards reducing Bentley’s environmental impact and supporting the company’s sustainability targets. This Icelandic journey is the result of further development since the debut of renewable fuel for Bentley in the Continental GT3 race car at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in June. T

The Flying Spur Hybrid represents Bentley’s next step on a journey to becoming the world’s most sustainable luxury mobility company, as laid out by the brand’s Beyond100 strategy. Market introductions across the world begin in 2022. This will see all models in the range offered with a hybrid powertrain by 2024, ahead of the company’s first full BEV by 2025.

Bentley’s biofuel

Let’s dive into the fuel. The 100% renewable, second generation biofuel used was developed by Coryton, who is supporting Bentley in renewable fuel research.

The production process sees waste biomass (e.g. straw) broken down using fermentation, leading to the creation of ethanol. Dehydration of the ethanol converts it to ethylene, which can then be transformed into gasoline through the process of oligomerisation – chaining short hydrocarbon molecules together to produce longer, more energy-dense ones.

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If Coryton sounds familiar, that could be from their work developing sustainable fuel with Prodrive in the UK for their race car competing in the FIA World Cup for Cross Country Rallies happening later this year (one of the first major teams to use advanced biofuels in a FIA championship), as reported in The Digest just a few weeks ago.

You may also know Coryton from their work with Nova Pangaea Technologies to successfully develop and trial its first E10 fuel on a motorcycle at its headquarters in Redcar, UK, as reported in The Digest in November 2020.

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So why is Bentley so crazy about sustainability and biofuels?

Let’s go back a bit. In 2018, Bentley’s production facility in Crewe became the first luxury automotive factory in the UK to be certified carbon neutral by the Carbon Trust, certification that has since been renewed twice. This followed two decades of implementing innovative solutions, including a water recycling system in the paint shop, local tree planting, installation of a 10,000 solar panel carport, taking the total number of on-site solar panels to 30,000, and a switch to renewable-only electricity sources. The Crewe facility will continue to improve its environmental operations. All suppliers have passed a sustainability audit, verifying their sustainability credentials.

So they have been ‘doing the sustainability stuff’ for quite a while now, and taking it quite seriously.

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“With the promise to offer truly sustainable luxury, Bentley will reinvent every aspect of its business to become an end-to-end carbon neutral organisation as it embarks on its second century. The target is driven by a transformation programme across Bentley’s entire operations and products. This includes switching its model range to offer exclusively plug-in hybrid or battery electric vehicles by 2026, and full electric vehicles only by 2030.”

“By the end of 2025, the company intends to reduce its factory environmental impact by focusing on energy consumption, CO2 emissions, waste water, use of solvents in the paint process and becoming plastic neutral. This will result in a ‘climate positive factory’ by 2030, actively reducing levels of carbon in the atmosphere, while in parallel the business invests in renewable energy and forestation projects.”

Bottom Line

Bentley’s combined electricity with biofuels in one car – thereby making the EV vs. biofuels fight, not so much a fight anymore – is like a happy marriage. Whoever said electricity and biofuels can’t get along is now proven wrong. And maybe this will inspire other automotive manufacturers to find more ways to incorporate biofuels into their vehicles. In the meantime, keep an eye out for Coryton and their innovative biofuels, as we wouldn’t be surprised to see their work expanding to even more automotive and motorcycle manufacturers.  READ MORE