Formula 1 to introduce biofueled trucks for European races in 2023 season

Formula One will make another important step to achieve its sustainability goals by introducing biofueled trucks for European races in 2023 season in an attempt to reduce carbon emissions.

Marking the latest innovation by the sport to introduce more sustainable logistical solutions as part of its efforts to reach Net Zero by 2030, Formula 1 and DHL have today announced that the European leg of the 2023 FIA Formula One World Championship is being delivered using biofueled truck.

According to the calculations, the switch to biofueled trucks will reduce carbon emissions by a minimum of 60% when compared to standard fuels, with the potential for higher savings. This

DHL’s first biofuel truck fleet is made up of 18 new trucks running on HVO100 drop-in fuel (hydrotreated vegetable oil). The new trucks, which will travel around 10,600 kilometres across this season’s European races, will reduce carbon emissions while maintaining the same level of performance in terms of load capacity and travel distance as their diesel counterparts and provide a safer and more sustainable process of sourcing. DHL trucks are also equipped with GPS to monitor fuel consumption and optimise more efficient routes

While the sport continues to make steps towards the introduction of an advanced sustainable fuel in 2026, it has introduced a series of initiatives recently, including switching to an increased remote broadcast operation, testing multimodal transport opportunities such as overland and ocean freight, and redesigning freight containers to fit on to the more efficient Boeing 777 aircrafts, reducing carbon emissions by 18% compared to traditional aircraft, the 747.

Commenting on the announcement, Head of ESG at Formula 1 Ellen Jones said: “We are a sport which operates on a global scale and DHL play a critical role in delivering the races and helping us address the logistical impact we have as a World Championship.

"Together we are continually looking for more sustainable solutions, and through innovations such as the biofueled trucks we’re able to take the next step forward in reducing our carbon emissions and achieving our sustainability goal of being Net Zero by 2030. It is wonderful to see partners like DHL share the same drive and commitment to creating a more sustainable Formula 1.”

Head of Global Brand Marketing at Deutsche Post DHL Group Arjan Sissing commented: “Our partnership with Formula 1 also showcases our shared dedication to sustainability and reducing our carbon footprint. We consistently strive to make logistics more sustainable, and we are excited to introduce the inaugural fleet of trucks, running on a sustainable fuel this year.

"As an industry leader in green logistics, the 18 trucks further contribute to a lower emission DHL fleet, where we show to our fans and customers that it is possible to bring the excitement of Formula 1 races around the world in a sustainable way.”

Head of DHL Motorsport Logistics Paul Fowler added: “Each truck can therefore transport up to 40 tons and travel up to 3,500 kilometres per 1,000 litre tank. For the European F1 leg the trucks run entirely on HVO100, which is a second-generation biofuel, meeting the standard EN15940 for paraffin fuels, as well as a drop-in fuel.”