Mercedes used second-generation biofuel for its trucks for the European races
Mercedes has reported on an important milestone in its sustainability ambitions, revealing that it powered its race and marketing trucks and generators for the 2024 European Season on HVO100, a second-generation biofuel.
In conjunction with its title partner Petronas, Mercedes has achieved 98% biofuel coverage and saved more than 500 tonnes of CO2e through the use of the sustainable fuel in its trucks and generators.
HVO100 Biofuel is a liquid bio-based fuel made from vegetable oil feedstocks and is recognised by the International Energy Agency (IEA) as a powerful tool in reducing fuel-related emissions.
The German-British outfit first trialled the use of HVO100 in its race trucks for three races in 2022, achieving an 89% reduction in freight emissions for that time period.
Mercedes set out the target to achieve a fully-biofueled European season for the current season. In total, the Brackley-based outfit used biofuel for nince races - Imola, Monte-Carlo, Barcelona, Spielberg, Silverstone, Budapest, Spa, Zandvoort, and Monza.
Last season, the team achieved 74% biofuel coverage across the European races which means a significant improvement compared to last year.
The team noted: "This year’s results also take us closer to our target for Race Team Control Net Zero by 2030, and form part of our wider sustainable fuels strategy."
Head of Sustainability Alice Ashpitel said: “We are a team of problem solvers and pursuing sustainable high performance is always front of mind.
“Optimising our logistics operations and achieving almost total biofuel coverage reflects our team’s significant sustainability efforts and it’s a real inspiration to see the reduction of our impact at the track and on the road.
“We continue to address the largest sources of our emissions, and how we transport the team’s freight and power our operations across the globe remain key focus areas.”
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff added: “Powering our European season on biofuel is a first for our team and sport, and I hope our achievements, with the invaluable support, expertise and supply capability of our Title and Technical Partner PETRONAS, will inspire others to follow.
“We look forward to now challenging ourselves to expand the use of sustainable fuel in our logistics beyond the European races and continuing to prepare for the introduction of the fully sustainable fuel which will power the 2026 cars on track.”
Commenting on the results, Head of Race Team Logistics Karl said: “I was involved with our suppliers to move our kit around Europe from the factory to the circuit and then from circuit to circuit and back to the factory. It is great to offset anything you can and make the world a greener place.”
Fuel operations and site support manager Jordan said: “It feels really good to be a part of the team that's helped contribute to a European season powered by biofuel. It takes so many people from the different areas across the team to make this successful.”
