TotalEnergies develops 100% renewable fuel for motorsport

TotalEnergies is developing a 100% renewable fuel for motorsport competition, which will be introduced from next season at the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), including the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2022, and at the European Le Mans Series (ELMS).

The 100% renewable fuel will be produced on bioethanol basis, made from wine residues from French agricultural industry, and from ETBE produced at TotalEnergies’ Feyzin refinery near Lyon, from feedstock also sourced from the circular economy. The fuel should allow an immediate reduction of at least 65% of the racing cars’ CO₂ emissions.

Named ‘Excellium Racing 100’, the fuel opens a new chapter in the Endurance racing and motorsport energy transition for all actors involved. It will have all the required qualities for a racing fuel and meet automakers’ requirements, as well as the latest FIA criteria for sustainable fuels, by leveraging the expertise of TotalEnergies Additives and Fuel Solutions.

“Our ambition is to be a major player in the energy transition and to get to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, together with society,” said Patrick Pouyanné, chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies.

“TotalEnergies is supporting its customers and partners in their evolutions, by thus applying its strategy to motorsport: sustainable liquid fuels, electricity, batteries, hybridisation, hydrogen.

“Advanced biofuels have an undeniable part to play in helping the transport sector to reduce its CO₂ emissions immediately. This 100% renewable fuel that will be made available in motor racing as soon as 2022 is a perfect illustration.

“As we are becoming a broad energy company, the racing track is more than ever an open-air laboratory for TotalEnergies.”

Frédéric Lequein, FIA WEC & ELMS CEO, commented: “It is extremely encouraging that TotalEnergies is paving the way for others and creating a 100% renewable fuel.

“I firmly believe that the WEC and ELMS are the ideal playground for TotalEnergies to trial its new innovative Excellium Racing 100 fuel. Endurance racing is the ultimate test for all road-related products and we are delighted that TotalEnergies has chosen our championships and Le Mans to help launch this cutting-edge new creation.”