MotoGP officially announces its transition to non-fossil fuels to promote the eco-sustainability of motorcycling and the reduction of greenhouse gases. The goal is ambitious: starting from 2027, all three classes of MotoGP with internal combustion engines will use 100% non-fossil fuels.
This important step in motorcycle racing towards eco-sustainability joins another initiative started in 2018: the MotoE World Cup.
Both projects, the MotoE and E-Fuels, answer the need to get out of the current scenario in which fossil fuels power almost all two-wheeled vehicles.
In the past, the world has relied on fossil fuels for many of its activities, particularly mobility, which for 100% relied on this type of fuel.
The scenario we will have will be radically different in the next decade, with fossil fuels being replaced by various technologies.
Urban and medium-range mobility will opt for electric propulsion, aviation on synthetic fuels, land and sea freight transport will use both electricity and synthetic fuels and hydrogen using LNG as a transitional energy source.
The MotoGP bikes, with internal combustion engines and eco-sustainable fuels, and the MotoE, with battery-electric motors, will be the two spearheads of sport motorcycling. Both will be essential laboratories to push to the limit the technologies that people will use on the road to their limits.
The decisive year thus becomes 2027. In fact, 2026 will end the current 5-year contract that establishes the MotoGP regulations (2022-2026) and the agreement with which Ducati has become the sole supplier of the MotoE (2023-2026). 2027 thus promises to be a year full of surprises and news for motorcycling.
Here the Dorna press release: "MotoGP ™: racing towards the fuel of the future"
"The FIM Grand Prix World Championship, MotoGP™, is a global platform with the power to lead evolution in both the motorcycle and mobility industries. With a unique position as one of the world's most popular and technologically advanced sports, MotoGP™ is a racing ‘laboratory’ powered by innovation and development.
Global motorcycle sales amount to 60 million units per annum and two-wheeled transportation is a necessity for a huge proportion of the population, with over two billion motorcycles on the world’s roads. In many nations two-wheeled vehicles drive society. As the most sustainable motorised vehicles, two-wheeled transportation has a vital role in the quest for cleaner, safer, and more eco-friendly mobility, with the power to make an incredible contribution to the world’s need to cut carbon emissions, increase sustainability and fight climate change.
Working with MotoGP™ manufacturers, the sport has set new goals for increased sustainability:
by 2024, fuel in all MotoGP™ classes will be of minimum 40% non-fossil origin
by 2027, fuel in all MotoGP™ classes will be 100% non-fossil origin "
"MotoGP™ is the platform in which these fuels will continue to be developed and tested, with every premier class manufacturer working with their supplier to develop their own fuel. The development of multiple fuels will ensure that the technology and knowledge will reach consumer motorcycles and fuel pumps on the street. This will create an unrivalled selection of viable, sustainable drop-in fuels developed by some of the most important players in global energy and tested by the highest level of prototype two-wheeled machinery in the world. With no single proprietor, the initiative guarantees unprecedented global impact.
These fuels of the future will be able to be used in a standard internal combustion engine and will either be laboratory-created, using components sourced from a carbon capture scheme, or derived from municipal waste or non-food biomass, thereby achieving significant savings in greenhouse gas emissions relative to fossil-derived petrol. In addition, fuel suppliers will progressively introduce the use of renewable energy in the production of their fuel.
The Moto2™ and Moto3™ classes will continue to be supplied by a single fuel provider and will also be introducing a part-sustainable fuel in 2024. Both classes will switch to 100% sustainable fuel in 2027, alongside the MotoGP™ class.
The FIM, IRTA, MSMA, Dorna and all stakeholders are committed to creating a more sustainable sport and future, from engineering greater sustainability on track to assessing and reducing the carbon footprint of every single event and aspect of the sport with innovative solutions.
MotoGP™ is racing together to power worldwide innovation, creating and reflecting positive change".
Jorge Viegas, FIM President
“I’m really proud of this announcement, after many months and even years of negotiations with petrol companies and manufacturers, we’ve reached an agreement. This will allow MotoGP to be the leader in this real revolution for sustainability.
We want to really show the way to all the motorcycle manufacturers that it’s possible to have the fun we all like but with sustainable fuels. We hope by 2027, to have completely carbon free fuels in our competitions, leading the way and showing that, even if the racing is a small part of emissions, we must be the leaders of this change; show the way. Thank you to all the stakeholders for the negotiations, finally now we can announce the good news”.
Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO Dorna Sports
“We are very proud to announce this incredible new venture and we would like to thank the FIM, MSMA, IRTA, our manufacturers and fuel suppliers for their unequivocal support in this ground-breaking step towards a more sustainable world. Racing together, MotoGP will be a driving force for global change and increased sustainability.
Motorcycles are a vital asset to society, making two-wheeled vehicles a crucial part of the solution. Sustainable fuels are key to creating an attainable and viable path to a more eco-friendly world, impacting billions of people, and with a number of different fuel manufacturers committed to this endeavour, global impact is guaranteed. Thanks to all parties involved in making this possible".
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