• My account
NZ Autocar
Subscribe

No products in the cart.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Industry
  • Reviews
  • Electric
  • Utes | Vans
  • Bikes
  • Classics
  • Motorsport
  • Brands
  • Prices
    • New Car Prices
    • New Bike Prices
  • My account
NZ Autocar
SUBSCRIBE
No Result
View All Result
Home Main Categories Bikes

MotoGP looks to a clean and green racing future

Words NZ Autocar | Images PL

by Peter Louisson
December 2, 2021

It’s the end of the 2021 MotoGP season so the officials are looking to the future, and they have decided to follow Formula 1’s decision to switch to the use of sustainable fuels. By 2027, all gas used by Moto3, Moto2 and MotoGP machines must be synthetic in origin.

This will be phased in gradually so that within three years 40 per cent of fuel used in the MotoGP class must be sustainably produced, using renewable energy or from non-food biomass.

It makes perfect sense given racing is essentially an R&D platform, and most countries, businesses and individuals are committed to doing their part to limit global warming. Racing should be no different. Dorna believes it is high time race machines stopped burning fossil fuels to help limit the rise of atmospheric CO2 levels.

Engineers understand the combustion characteristics of fossil fuels but are not so informed on synthetics, e-fuels, or biofuels. They need to be to convert greener energy fuels into the lowest lap times possible.

The good news is that the sport will not be restricted to MotoE in the future. Race bikes producing exhaust noise will continue to circulate and rule the racing roost for the foreseeable future.

Technical regulations will remain stable for the period 2022 to 2026. But thereafter major changes to the MotoGP formula can be introduced, although it is thought that combustion engines will still hold sway between 2027 and 2031.

The FIM and Dorna have forbidden teams from using biofuels produced from food crops, so ethanol produced from sweetcorn or maize is banned. However, ethanol generated from waste products of forestry and farming, municipal waste, or from crops unsuitable for food production, can be used.

Zero carbon fuels, sourced using production methods that don’t emit carbon into the atmosphere, are also encouraged. Synthetic fuels produced using energy sources that emit carbon will not be allowed. How fuel suppliers produce that fuel is up to them, providing they follow the zero carbon rule.

Whether or not the current fuel regulations will be addressed – these control the composition of fuels used – is unclear at this time. And exactly what emissions are permissible is also yet to be outlined.

Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports commented “We would like to thank the FIM…our manufacturers and fuel suppliers for their unequivocal support in this ground-breaking step towards a more sustainable world.”

Previous Post

One last fling: Aston Martin teases V12 Vantage Final Edition

Next Post

Groups warn of massive delays over NZ driver license tests

NZ Autocar is New Zealand’s leading automotive magazine. Delivering news reviews from the automotive world, including commentary from leading automotive writers and covers the scope of motoring including new cars, classic cars, EVs and motorbikes.

Our team

Managing Editor: Richard Edwards
General Manager: Gavin Shaw
Editor: Kyle Cassidy
Senior Editor: Peter Louisson
Creative Director: Alex Schultz

To Subscribe

Subscribe

Contact Us

Advertising:
Gavin Shaw
[email protected]
.
Editorial:
Kyle Cassidy
[email protected]
.
NZ Autocar
PO Box 18121
Glen Innes
Auckland 1743
New Zealand

Categories

Useful Links

Home
News
Motorsport
Search Manufacturer
Search reviews
New Car Prices
New Bike Prices
Industry
Commercial
Subscriptions
Competitions
Contact Us
Advertising
Terms and Conditions

2025 © AUTOCAR 2024 LIMITED. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Industry
  • Reviews
  • Electric
  • Utes | Vans
  • Bikes
  • Classics
  • Motorsport
  • Brands
  • Prices
    • New Car Prices
    • New Bike Prices
  • My account

2025 © AUTOCAR 2024 LIMITED. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.