Mercedes F1 Trucks Biofuel Trial Reduces CO2 Emissions by 89%

September 23, 2022

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by Jonathan Noble (Motorsport) Mercedes has revealed how a trial of running its race trucks on biofuel for the recent Formula 1 triple header helped net an 89 percent reduction in CO2 emissions.

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The Brackley-based squad elected to experiment with running 16 of its F1 race trucks on Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO 100) biofuel for the three post-summer break races in Belgium, the Netherlands and Italy.

It wanted to use the three events, which feature a total driving distance of 1400km, to gather some good insight into the challenges and positive impacts of switching from regular diesel.

The team is hoping that the lessons learned, especially around supply issues on mainland Europe, can help it move towards using sustainable fuels as much as possible in 2023.

Having successfully completed a test with one truck back home from the Hungarian Grand Prix, Mercedes chose to run 16 of them for its recent trial at the last three F1 events.

And all but 20 km of the 1400km were run on biofuel, with only the lack of availability of the product in Italy meaning the final 20km to Monza had to be done on diesel.

Analysis of the running showed that the use of the HVO 100 biofuel saved a total of 44,091kg of CO2 being released, which is a reduction in emissions of 89 percent.

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As well as the fuel reducing CO2 emission, it also produces less Nox and particulate emissions

The Mercedes F1 team is aiming to become Net Zero by 2030, and has already become the first grand prix outfit to invest in Sustainable Aviation Fuel. READ MORE

Mercedes' F1 team used biofuel to cut freight carbon emissions by 89 percent -- Trucks used fuel derived from vegetable oils, waste oils and fats to move F1 cars between three grands prix. (Engadget)

Mercedes’ F1 team cut its freight emissions by 89% with biofuel switch -- 16 trucks used biofuels to haul between the final three European races this year. (Ars Technica)

Mercedes F1 team’s use of HVO hailed a success (Biofuels International)