August 23, 2024 — Gevo, Inc., a renewable chemicals and advanced biofuels company, announced today a strategic supply agreement with Shell Global Solutions Deutschland GmbH to supply low-carbon fuel blendstock specifically formulated for use in motorsports. This collaboration marks an important step in the drive of the motorsports industry to reduce its carbon footprint while continuing to deliver high performance on the track.
The Shift Towards Sustainable Motorsport
With the world gear-shifting to a more sustainable future, the onus is on the motorsport fraternity to sport environmentally friendly conduct. Since it involves high performance, motorsport has traditionally used fuels designed for maximum power and efficiency. However, the environmental impact they have is forcing the industry to look at alternatives that can meet global sustainability goals.
Blendstock from low-carbon fuel by Gevo, derived from sustainable feedstocks such as agricultural waste, is a workable solution. This blendstock has been designed to pass not just the high-performance tests required in motorsports but also the stringent EU Red Directive Annex IX criteria aimed at sustainable biofuels. Gevo’s product decreases dependence upon fossil fuel involvement and is circular economy-inducing through the use of wastes from agriculture.
The Partnership with Shell
Shell is a global leader in energy and a leading supplier of specialty fuels to racing series around the world, with a rich history of seeking ways to make its products more sustainable. This relationship with Gevo therefore brings Shell a natural extension of effort and commitment to innovate in the area of low-carbon fuels. With Gevo’s partnership, it will explore and grow the potential for low-carbon intensity products in motorsports.
Under the purchase agreement, Gevo shall supply its low-carbon fuel blendstock for use across various motorsport applications. The reason this is significant is that Shell is a developer and supplier of 100% renewable race fuels, which include the fuel used in the NTT INDYCAR Series. In doing so, with Gevo’s low-carbon blendstock added to its portfolio, Shell further cements its commitment to sustainability within the high-octane world of motorsports.
Performance and Sustainability
Development of sustainable fuels for motorsports comes not only with several challenges but also with the basic need of ensuring high performance for the fuel product. Motorsport requires fuels that will deliver improved energy storage, high power output, and efficient combustion with low carbon emissions. Gevo’s low-carbon blendstock is tailor-made to answer that, offering a solution to high performance without compromising on sustainability goals within the sector.
One of the hallmarks of Gevo’s approach is the use of agricultural waste as feedstock. This waste-to-fuel process—converting wastes into high performance fuel—reduces carbon intensity in the fuel blendstock. It will do two things: lower total carbon footprint for motorsports, and support agricultural sustainability with a market for wastes.
Motorsport Industry Implications
The collaboration of Gevo with Shell could have deep implications for the motorsport industry. As it grapples with ways to minimize its ecological footprint, the availability of low-carbon fuel blendstock presents a real solution that can be implemented without any loss in performance. This is also setting an example for other companies in the sector to create similar partnerships or innovate in sustainable fuel technology.
With its global audience and potential influence, the motorsport sector can drive major change in public perception and uptake of sustainable practices. By integrating low-carbon fuels into the racing events, the industry makes a statement regarding the feasibility of sustainable solutions on the most exacting stage. This may be translated or fast-tracked into the adoption of similar technologies in other sectors of transport and energy.
Future Outlook
Looking ahead, the Gevo-Shell relationship can continue to drive innovation in sustainable fuel technology. Both companies are true leaders in their respective businesses: Gevo in renewable chemicals and biofuels and Shell in energy innovation and fuel technology. The two combined have the capability to scale low-carbon fuels, which in the future may disrupt not just motorsports but the larger transportation segment.
With global regulations and consumer expectations shifting towards sustainability, demand for low-carbon fuel will only continue to get acutely sharper. The partnership places Gevo and Shell right at the head of this shift, offering solutions that will meet both environmental responsibility and performance needs of high-demand industries.
Conclusion ∣
The major step taken toward sustainable motorsports is the collaboration of Gevo with Shell. Gevo supplies low-carbon fuel blendstock from sustainable feedstocks, and this will lower the carbon footprint of a highly emitting industry. On the other hand, with Shell on board, this is going to get implemented globally, probably revolutionizing the future of motorsports and beyond.
The future of motorsports is going green, and through these types of collaborations, the industry will be able to develop technologies and products supporting this vision. Gevo and Shell, combining their expertise and commitment to innovation, are set to guide the next generation of sustainable motorsport.
Source: Gevo, Inc.
Credits: Gevo, Inc. and Shell Global Solutions Deutschland GmbH