Zero Petroleum signs deal for proposed e-fuel plant in South Australia
F1 legend Paddy Lowe’s synthetic fuel company signs MOU with SA government to study potential for local production facilityBritish synthetic fuel company Zero Petroleum has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the South Australian government to investigate establishing an e-fuel production plant in the state – and have it operational as soon as 2026.
The proposed facility is forecast to produce between six and 12 million litres of whole-blend synthetic, non-biological fuels – petrol, diesel and jet fuel – per annum.
Founded in 2020 by Formula 1 legend Paddy Lowe – the former executive director of Mercedes F1, technical director of McLaren and CTO of Williams – along with academic Nilay Shah, Zero Petroleum has fast become a leading player in the synthetic fuel industry, which is seen by many as a crucial element in the global car industry’s race to lower vehicle emissions.
The company has a strong presence in the UK and US and recently opened what’s billed as the world’s first “fully featured” synthetic fuel plant (Plant Zero.1) near Oxford, England.
It also has plans to build a commercial-scale plant, beginning production in 2026.
A site for the proposed South Australian plant has not been named, but the company said its construction would create more than 150 jobs and, once operational, would provide another 30 full-time positions.
The facility will also run on a combination of green hydrogen, renewable energy and carbon capture.
Lowe was in Australia for the recent Adelaide Motorsport Festival alongside company investor and another former F1 legend, Damon Hill, as well as ex-MotoGP ace Daryl Beattie and former Red Bull, Jaguar Racing and Haas Racing principal Günther Steiner.
Zero is also an official partner of Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber.
“We have engaged with government stakeholders at all levels, who have earned their reputation as the most forward-thinking government in sustainability, and there is a clear pathway for synthetic fuel to help Australian consumers and transportation operators reduce net carbon emissions from existing vehicles,” said Lowe.
“Zero’s synthetic solution drops into any engine without alterations, so whether you’re powering an exotic motorbike or critical transportation infrastructure, the result will be superior carbon-neutral performance.
“The future is bright for synthetic fuel in South Australia.”
South Australian premier Peter Malinauskas said he was buoyed by the MOU with Zero and said the wider State Prosperity Project was positioning the state as a leader in “the global green transition”.
“Signing the MOU with Zero Petroleum is an exciting development to explore a future partnership, which could see a locally-made product fuel high-performance machines across the globe,” he said.
“Events like the Adelaide Motorsport Festival provide the ideal opportunity to showcase South Australia’s potential to investors from around the world.”
Zero’s Adelaide Motorsport Festival display was crowned by the running of a classic Honda CB1100R on the brand’s synthetic fuel in front of thousands of onlookers, with Beattie in the saddle.
Porsche is another big-name e-fuel producer looking to capitalise on Australia’s abundance of renewable power sources, specifically in Tasmania.
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