MotoGP: Race for the fuel of the future
In 2024, MotoGP will transition to sustainable fuels, ushering in a new global era of zero-carbon fuels
Wednesday 24 November 2021
The FIM Grand Prix World Championship, MotoGP, is a global platform with the power to lead development in both the motorcycle and mobility industries. With a unique position as one of the most popular and technologically advanced sports in the world, MotoGP is a racing ‘laboratory’ driven by innovation and development.
Global motorcycle sales total 60 million units a year and two-wheeled transportation is a necessity for a large segment of the population, with over two billion motorcycles on the world’s roads. In many nations, two-wheelers drive society. As the most sustainable motorized vehicles, two-wheeled transport plays a vital role in the quest for clean, safe and green mobility, with the power to make an incredible contribution to the global need to reduce carbon emissions, increase sustainability and combat climate change .
In cooperation with MotoGP manufacturers, the sport has set new goals for more sustainability:
By 2024, at least 40% of the fuel in all MotoGP classes will be non-fossil origin
By 2027, fuel in all MotoGP classes will be 100% non-fossil based
MotoGP is the platform on which these fuels are further developed and tested, with each top tier manufacturer working with their supplier to develop their own fuel. Developing multiple fuels will ensure the technology and knowledge reaches consumer motorcycles and fuel pumps on the road. This will create an unrivaled range of viable, sustainable drop-in fuels, developed by some of the key players in the global energy sector and tested by the world’s tallest prototype two-wheeled machines. With no single owner, the initiative guarantees an unprecedented global impact.
These fuels of the future can be used in a standard internal combustion engine and are either manufactured in the laboratory using components derived from a CO2 capture system, or derived from municipal solid waste or non-food biomass, resulting in significant savings in greenhouse gas emissions Comparison to fossil-derived gasoline. In addition, fuel suppliers will gradually introduce the use of renewable energy in the production of their fuel.
The Moto2 and Moto3 classes will continue to be served by a single fuel provider and will also introduce a partially sustainable fuel in 2024. Both classes will switch to 100% sustainable fuel alongside the MotoGP class in 2027.
The FIM, IRTA, MSMA, Dorna and all stakeholders are committed to creating a more sustainable sport and future, from developing greater sustainability at track to assessing and reducing the carbon footprint of every single event and every aspect of the Sports with innovative solutions.
MotoGP races together to drive global innovation and create and reflect positive change.
Jorge Viegas, FIM President: “I am really proud of this announcement, after many months and even years of negotiations with oil companies and manufacturers we have reached an agreement. This will allow MotoGP to be at the forefront of this true sustainability revolution.
“We really want to show all motorcycle manufacturers that it is possible to have the fun we all love but with sustainable fuels. We hope to have completely zero-carbon fuels in our competitions by 2027 to lead the way and show that even if racing is only a small part of emissions, we need to be at the forefront of this change. to show the way. Thank you to everyone involved for the negotiations, now we can finally announce the good news.”
Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports: “We are extremely proud to announce this incredible new venture and we would like to thank the FIM, MSMA, IRTA, our manufacturers and fuel suppliers for their unwavering support of this groundbreaking step towards a more sustainable world. MotoGP riding together will be a driving force for global change and more sustainability.
“Motorcycles are a vital asset to society, which is why two-wheelers are a crucial part of the solution. Sustainable fuels are key to creating an achievable and viable path to a greener world affecting billions of people and with a range of different fuel manufacturers committed to this endeavour, a global impact is guaranteed. Thank you to everyone involved who made this possible.”
