Repsol has begun manufacturing 100% renewable gasoline on an industrial scale at its Tarragona complex, a significant step towards low-emission transport that relies on proprietary technology and international collaboration. According to the company, this new fuel allows cut net CO2 emissions by more than 70% according to the traditional gasoline.
Under the trade name Nexa 95 of 100% renewable origin, the product is already sold at service stations in the Community of Madrid and Catalonia and will be available in more locations soon. The company emphasizes that the fuel is fully compatible with any gasoline vehicle, including hybrid vehicles, with no changes to the engine or refueling infrastructure.
How it is made and what makes it different
Tarragona's renewable gasoline is obtained from organic waste and biomass, circular raw materials that are transformed into fossil-based hydrocarbons. The process, developed by Repsol scientists in collaboration with Honeywell, is the result of more than 20 years of research and production of renewable fuels in different modalities.
In addition to the industrial process, the formulation of Nexa 95 incorporates a custom-designed mix at the Repsol Technology Lab, aimed at maximizing engine performance and keeping it in optimal operating conditions.
Features and compatibility
The new fuel is marketed as a product of 95 octane which can be used in any gasoline-powered car, also in vehicles hybrid, without need to make modifications to the vehicle nor in the network of stations.
In environmental terms, its use allows reduce net CO2 emissions by more than 70% compared to conventional gasoline, according to the company's estimates, making it an immediate alternative to reduce the transport footprint.
Where it is sold and next steps
Currently, Nexa 95 Gasoline, 100% renewable origin, is available in 20 stations of service in the Community of Madrid and Catalonia. Repsol hopes to expand the network to 30 points before the end of the year, adding cities such as Valencia, Zaragoza, Bilbao and Tarragona itself.
The deployment of this gasoline is based on the industrial experience of the group, which already operates in Cartagena the first plant on the Iberian Peninsula to produce SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) and renewable diesel, and will incorporate a second facility in 2026 Puertollano with an approximate capacity of 200.000 tons per year of 100% renewable fuels for road and maritime use.
Regulatory framework and decarbonization objectives
The company defends that the 100% renewable liquid fuels should be recognized within European climate policies as an additional way to accelerate emissions reductions in transport. Along these lines, it proposes Review the proposed timeline for banning combustion engines by 2035, stressing that 97% of the Spanish and European vehicle fleet is still combustion-powered and that in Spain they represent 87% of recent sales, a context in which the Spanish vehicle fleet poses challenges for the transition.
Repsol links regulatory uncertainty with the ageing of the vehicle fleet (average age of 14,5 years and about 8,5 million vehicles over 20 years old) and advocates long-term objectives and favorable taxation to drive investment in more efficient engines and the scaling of renewable fuels.
Alliances that support supply and demand
To accelerate the adoption of renewable fuels—including new gasoline— 100% renewable origin manufactured in Tarragona—, the company maintains agreements with key players in heavy, passenger and maritime transport, as well as with airlines for commercial SAF.
- Highway (heavy): Scania, Grupo Sesé, XPO, Serveto, Havi, Joanca, Carreras, Rhenus, Luis Simoes; with clients like Coca-Cola, Freixenet and Seat.
- Passengers: companies such as Alsa and Avanza use renewable fuels in fleets and pilots.
- Maritime and aviation: agreements with Royal Caribbean and with airlines like Iberia, Ryanair, Vueling and Air Europa to promote the use of SAF; the Eagle Patrol already conducted a demonstration using this type of fuel in 2022.
Without losing sight of the deployment of the supply network, the launch of renewable gasoline in Tarragona combines Technological maturity, full compatibility with the gasoline fleet and a significant reduction in emissions, pending the regulatory framework and commercial expansion that will allow for the consolidation of large-scale adoption.
