French multinational TotalEnergies has announced its development of a renewable fuel made from wine residues. The biofuel will be introduced in the next season of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), and at the European Le Mans Series (ELMS).
The fuel alternative – named ‘Excellium Racing 100’ – will be made from wine residues sourced from the French agricultural industry, and ETBE from TotalEnergies’ Feyzin refinery. The group estimates that using this novel fuel will lead to CO2 reductions of at least 65% in the racing cars.
“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, Total 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, hybridization, 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,” he adds. “As we are becoming a broad energy company, the racing track is more than ever an open-air laboratory for TotalEnergies.”
While the racing industry is always pushing for fuels that can deliver longer endurance and higher performance, they must now do so in a manner that also meets modern environmental standards.
Frédéric Lequein, CEO of FIA WEC & ELMS 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.”
TotalEnergies has been the official fuel supplier of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest – the creator and organiser of the 24 Hours of Le Mans – since 2018. The energy group said in its statement that it hoped the renewable fuel introduction will ‘complete’ the partnership between the two groups in the creation and support of new energy sources.
