Investigation of Various Electrofuels for Potential Use in Aviation

As global pressure mounts from environmental stakeholders, regulatory bodies, and the public, the aviation sector faces increasing urgency to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. Among emerging alternatives, electrofuels, synthetic fuels produced using renewable electricity, have gained attention for their potential to support a cleaner and more sustainable aviation infrastructure. This paper investigates the feasibility of various electrofuels, including ammonia, hydrogen, methane, kerosene, dimethyl ether, methanol, and propane, by examining their production pathways, energy densities, safety profiles, and logistical requirements such as storage, transportation, and refueling. While electrofuels offer a promising route to decarbonization, their practical implementation is constrained by volumetric and gravimetric limitations, as well as complex infrastructure demands. This analysis reveals that e-kerosene and e-methane may be more viable near-term solutions, but hydrogen proves best when considering only emissions.