Tesla, the American electric vehicle giant, continues to push innovation by proposing a significant change in its popular SUV, the Model Y. While many expected a step forward towards the hydrogen fuel-based engine, Elon Musk, true to his vision, calling this technology "stupid", focuses his efforts on improving electric engines and other alternative fuels like methanol.
A hybrid prototype with methanol fuel
One of the boldest announcements concerns a prototype of the Tesla Model Y called Hyper-Hybrid combining an electric block and a fuel system running on methanol. Tesla has partnered with the Austrian firm Obrist to carry out this project.
The thermal engine equipping the Model Y extends the range of the electric motor by supplying energy to the battery system. We are obviously thinking of the BMW i3 or the Chevrolet Bolt / Opel Ampera duo, vehicles that also operated on the same principle with a gasoline tank. Some owners even took advantage of this to supply the tank not with unleaded, but with E85 ethanol . Ahead of their time!
Methanol, presented as an alternative to conventional fuels, offers advantages in terms of reducing emissions during production but also during driving, while allowing an interesting energy density to power the range extender.
The heat engine placed in the Frunk of the Model Y
Obrist also designed aFuel, a synthetic methanol compound , designed at 10% with CO2 filtered from ambient air. The company then explains that the
“aFuel combines the production of eMethanol, the world’s liquid energy carrier, with a carbon sink process. A portion of the CO2 is thus extracted from the carbon cycle and transformed into solid carbon, making aFuel® not only CO2 neutral, but even CO2 negative. A feat never achieved before.”
Methanol could play a key role in the energy transition, especially in regions where electric charging infrastructure is still limited. This hybrid system would offer a flexible solution, ensuring the characteristic performance of Tesla vehicles while exploring new ways to reduce the carbon footprint of hybrid vehicles.
The methanol tank located in the trunk of the Model Y
A risky bet on technology & future design
Make no mistake, the upcoming "Juniper" version of the Model Y , slated for 2025, will include aesthetic and technical updates like new bumpers, redesigned headlights and interior lighting options, but there is no talk of bringing the Hyper-Hybrid version to the general public just yet.
Tesla surprises us once again, going against the grain of its company's very existence based on the fuel "electricity". But it remains true to its commitment to a sustainable electric future, perhaps including hybrid-powered Teslas as well.
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