Two new Audi A3 TDI models running on Rentech Inc RenDiesel fuel achieved a “flawless” performance during a 1,000miles test spanning the length of California.
The RenDiesel fuel produced no noticeable differences when compared to traditional fuels and now additional research is planned to confirm this performance over the full lifecycle of vehicles.
As part of the test, one of the Audi A3 TDIs achieved 39.7mpg on average, while the other car averaged 43mpg. The regular Audi A3 TDI has an EPA average highway fuel economy rating of 42mpg.
The fuel that was used on the drive was produced from natural gas produced at Rentech’s demonstration plant in Colorado with Rentech stating that it is to be produced at its Rialto Project and should reduce greenhouse gas emissions on a lifecycle basis by as much as 97 per cent.
Furthermore, the RenDiesel is expected to be twice as fuel efficient as ethanol and contains around 60 per cent more energy per gallon than ethanol and diesel engines that in turn typically achieve 20-40 per cent more miles per gallon than petrol engines.
