Technology: What is sustainable fuel and why does MotoGP want to introduce it?
Earlier this week, Dorna, the promoter of the MotoGP competition, announced that they want to race entirely on sustainable fuel from 2027. We investigated what exactly this fuel is.
The aim is to limit or even eliminate the use of fossil fuels. The MotoGP wants to be a pioneer and reduce fossil fuels in a step-by-step plan. From 2024, 40 percent of the fuels used must be of non-fossil origin and by 2027 the MotoGP (also Moto 2 and Moto 3) wants to switch completely to 100 percent sustainable fuel.
But what actually is sustainable fuel?
This is a fuel whose origin is non-fossil and which can still be used in conventional combustion engines. They are also called synthetic fuel or e-Fuel. The use of e-Fuel is CO2 neutral and therefore has no negative impact on our planet.
The production is very complicated and currently very expensive. Synthetic fuel is made in an e-Fuel factory. Here, hydrogen and CO₂ are combined and converted into a synthetic fuel. In addition to carbon dioxide (CO₂) and hydrogen (H2), this also requires electricity. This electricity preferably comes from wind or solar farms.
The principle of an e-Fuel is that what you take out of the environment to produce it is also pumped back in when used (i.e. burned). MotoGP wants to be the platform where these fuels will be further developed and tested. Each manufacturer in the premier class will work with its supplier to develop its own fuel. The development of multiple fuels will ensure that the technology and knowledge will reach consumer motorcycles and gas stations on the streets.
Motocross on e-Fuels?
If MotoGP can run on these synthetic fuels, this will also be possible in motocross. Infront Moto Racing has not yet taken a position on this, at least not publicly. Specifically for the near future, you can choose to drive electrically or on synthetic fuel. The second option seems to be a rational choice as a transition phase to electric driving.
F1 also opted for e-Fuel
By 2026, F1 will run on 100 percent synthetic fuel. It was a condition for brands such as Porsche and Audi to join this competition. It is, among other things, the national oil company of Saudi Arabia that wants to invest in the development because Formula 1 wants to develop a salable e-fuel for production engines. In this way, the world's most important car competition becomes carbon neutral in one fell swoop.
Do not confuse with biofuel or alkylate gasoline
A synthetic fuel or e-Fuel is not the same as a bio-fuel. Liquid and gaseous biofuels are obtained from (solid) biomass, such as dead plants or animal manure. Biomass can also be converted directly into green energy. The easiest way to use biofuels in cars is to turn them into a liquid. Just think of bio-diesel based on rapeseed oil. Nowadays there is a second generation of bio-diesel based on animal waste and frying fat and therefore does not compete with food production.
The base of alkylate gasoline is still of a fossil nature. In a traditional cracking plant, crude oil is processed into various types of fuel such as gasoline, petroleum, kerosene and the like. The residual product is gas that was burned. This gas is currently compressed into a liquid solid fuel (alkylation). It is one of the purest products that can be made from crude oil and contains very few carcinogenic substances compared to regular gasoline.
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