The production of carbon neutral energy is a crucial step towards achieving carbon neutral
mobility in the Netherlands. We look at four potential energy carriers to this end: electricity,
hydrogen, synfuels (manufactured from hydrogen and CO2 or N2) and biofuels. We focus
on the entire energy chain, from production, transport, storage and distribution, and
charging or refuelling to the actual use in the vehicle. The questions we ask are: How
energy efficient is the solution? What is the cost per distance travelled? How much space
will these fuels and their infrastructures require?
In principle, carbon neutrality is feasible for each of these energy chains. However, the
chains differ greatly in the way they achieve carbon neutrality and in their degree of
suitability for various modes of transport.