The e-fuels company HIF Global, together with Toyota Chile and the mobility provider MITTA, has launched the "Route Zero" initiative. As part of the project, hybrid vehicles are fueled with synthetic fuels from HIF's own Haru Oni plant in Punta Arenas. The vehicles are available to tourists in the Magallanes region to test sustainable mobility under real-world conditions.
2,500 liters of e-fuels for sustainable mobility
According to HIF Global, about 2,500 liters of e-fuels are to be used within the program. The synthetic fuels are available at the Transpetrol filling station on Route 9 in Punta Arenas. In total, the vehicles are expected to cover more than 30,000 kilometers.
"Thanks to this partnership, travelers can explore Patagonia in a way that supports sustainable tourism," says Víctor Turpaud, CEO of HIF Latam. The e-fuels are chemically identical to conventional fuels and compatible with existing engines. In combination with hybrid vehicles, this creates a "powerful, ecologically effective solution."
Toyota points to the CO2 reduction potential of its self-charging hybrid technology. Compared to conventional vehicles, emissions can be reduced by up to 40 percent. Ignacio Funés, CEO of Toyota Chile, emphasizes: "This partnership shows how collaboration between leading players in mobility and technology can enable real progress for the country."
E-fuels produced from wind energy
MITTA also considers the combination of hybrid drive and e-fuels to be a suitable solution for remote regions. "In a challenging region like Magallanes, hybrid vehicles with synthetic fuels are the ideal solution," says Ignacio Correa, CEO of MITTA.
The initiative complements the use of HIF e-fuels in Antarctic tourism. There, the company Antarctica21 operates its motorboats with the same synthetic fuels. This is intended to demonstrate the versatility and practical suitability of e-fuels even under extreme conditions.
As part of the program, tourists receive information about the role of synthetic fuels in decarbonization. In addition, there is the opportunity to visit the HIF Haru Oni plant, where the e-fuels are produced from wind energy.
