TotalEnergies to Develop ‘100 Percent’ Renewable Fuel for ’22

Photo: ACO

TotalEnergies will debut a ‘100 percent’ renewable fuel for use in the FIA World Endurance Championship, European Le Mans Series and 24 Hours of Le Mans starting next year.

Announced Friday during the ACO’s annual press conference, the French energy giant revealed plans for a bioethanol-based fuel made from wine residues from the agricultural industry.

It will be produced at the company’s Feyzin refinery near Lyon and allow an immediate reduction of at least 65 percent of the the cars’ CO2 emissions.

The fuel will be known as “Excellium Racing 100” and is said to meet the requirements for OEMs and the FIA’s criteria for sustainable fuels.

Currently, WEC and ELMS competitors utilize fuel with a 10 percent blend of bioethanol.

“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 TotalEnergies chairman and CEO Patrick Pouyanne.

“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 percent 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.”

TotalEnergies has been the official fuel supplier for ACO-run championships since 2018.

“The 24 Hours of Le Mans has been an experimental playground for innovation ever since the first race in 1923 and this exciting new development is in perfect continuity with our founding principles,” said ACO President Pierre Fillon.

“Our long-standing partner TotalEnergies channels its expertise into developing sustainable solutions.

“This new, fully renewable fuel is testament to our wholehearted commitment to CSR.

“When it comes to sustainable development, we continue to step up to the bar, delivering our promise to play our part in sustainable mobility.”

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John