At Le Mans in 2022, wine dregs will power endurance race cars as automakers embrace biofuel to curb emissions in motor sports
- Advanced ethanol fuel, a 100 per cent renewable fuel developed by TotalEnergies, is made in part with residues from wine lees and grape pomace
- The fuel cuts the racing cars’ carbon emissions by at least 65 per cent, through blending wine residue with an ethanol by-product
Oil major TotalEnergies said on August 20 that it’s developing its own 100 per cent renewable fuel for motorsport which will be introduced from next year, including at the 24 Hours of Le Mans race in France, where the car that covers the greatest distance in a full day wins.
The so-called advanced ethanol fuel is made in part with residues from the French wine industry, such as wine lees and grape pomace. Pierre Fillon, president of Automobile Club de l’Ouest, which organises the race, said that the event is well suited to test out biofuel.
The fuel should allow an immediate reduction of at least 65 per cent of the racing cars’ carbon emissions. It works by blending wine residues with an ethanol by-product, helping the engine burn fuel more efficiently and reducing air pollution. For TotalEnergies, it’s an opportunity to test fuels that will help with a wider push to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
“The racing track is more than ever an open-air laboratory for TotalEnergies,” said Chief Executive Officer Patrick Pouyanne.