HIF Global e-Fuels approved under California LCFS

HIF Global has received the first-ever U.S. approval for an e-Fuels pathway. The Tier II Design Pathway Certification was granted under the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS), reinforcing the growing role of e-Fuels in the transition to sustainable energy.

HIF Global’s certification includes e-Sustainable Aviation Fuel (e-SAF), e-Naphtha, and e-Diesel, allowing producers to generate credits under the LCFS programme.

“e-Fuels are synthetic hydrocarbons that integrate seamlessly with existing infrastructure and engines,” said Meg Gentle, executive director of the HIF Global Board. “This LCFS certification  underscores the growing demand for e-Fuels in the U.S. and globally, which could reach more than  250 mtpa by 2035, providing opportunity for over USD1 trillion in potential capital investment in new  facilities to produce the fuels, including HIF Global’s 1.4 mtpa e-Fuels project in Matagorda County, Texas.” 

The LCFS aims to reduce carbon intensity in transportation fuels by incentivising the use of low-carbon alternatives, such as biofuels, hydrogen, and electricity, through a system of tradable credits.

HIF Global, founded in 2016 by Chilean-Peruvian company AME and supported by German automaker Porsche AG, is an international leader in the production of e-Fuels—synthetic fuels created by combining green hydrogen with recycled carbon dioxide (CO₂).

The company’s inaugural project, the Haru Oni demonstration plant in Chile’s Magallanes Region, began production in December 2022, marking a significant milestone in e-Fuel development.

HIF Global has ambitious plans to expand its operations, with projects underway in the United States, Australia, and Uruguay.