Formula 1 explains how it’ll run 100% sustainable e-fuel by mid-decade – Roadshow [CNET]

October 5, 2021 Thomas Giboney technology

Now, to be clear, burning renewable fuel still creates carbon dioxide as a byproduct, and requires energy in its production. However, Symonds explained there’s no net CO2 created. “It’s a totally circular thing,” he said. “We’re not producing any CO2 that is not already in the atmosphere at the moment; we’re taking it out of the atmosphere, we’re using it, and we’re putting it back in the atmosphere.” Essentially, the CO2 the sources create would have entered (or did enter) the atmosphere anyway. F1 wants to put these sources to better use. Or, in the case of carbon capture, take it out and use it again.

The overarching goal is to decarbonize many sectors of the world and economies, but a sustainable fuel source would still be a massive deal. While it’s likely we’ll soon see more electric cars reduce emissions from public roads, each EV still comes with a carbon footprint. Mining processes, refining and manufacturing all contribute to carbon output for the car and its battery, albeit far less than the similar processes used to create and burn fossil fuels. But if trucks, planes, boats and other heavy transportation ran on e-fuel emitting 65% fewer emissions, we could start to see some real progress, especially during the useful life of existing internal-combustion engine vehicles. Perhaps motorsport will help us get there.