› All Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 cars competing in the FIA World Rally Championship run on 100% fossil-free fuel from P1 Fuels
› Škoda rally cars in the WRC2 category of the FIA WRC saved 160 tonnes of CO₂ during the 2023 season alone
› The fuels made from previously-emitted CO₂ cut greenhouse gas emissions by 80% compared to fossil petrol
Mladá Boleslav, 14 May 2024 – In a andmark initiative for motorsports, the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) became the first FIA world championship to adopt 100% fossil-free fuel in 2022. In response, the Škoda Motorsport team meticulously prepared the Fabia RS Rally2 vehicles competing in the WRC2 for this innovative change in the regulatory framework. And their efforts paid off: during the 2023 season alone, all the Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 cars in the WRC2 category combined saved 160 tonnes of CO₂ emissions.
“As the Motorsport department of a globally active car manufacturer, we place sustainability and the environment at the centre of everything we do. Škoda Motorsport engineers thus continuously strive for innovative sustainability solutions while also pushing the boundaries of performance.”
Michal Hrabánek, Head of Škoda Motorsport
The Škoda Motorsport team developed the 1.6-litre turbo-charged engine of the Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 to run on 100% fossil-free fuel in line with the FIA WRC’s pioneering introduction of such fuels in 2022. This ensures that not only the current models but also older generations of the Škoda Fabia in Rally2 specification technically comply with the guideline.
“Fossil-free fuel is the greatest innovation in rally sport in a long time, offering huge potential in terms of sustainability. During the 2023 season alone, all Škoda rally cars in the WRC2 category of the FIA WRC saved 160 tonnes of CO₂ emissions. The adaption process for our engines was very straightforward: We modified the seals and lines of the fuel system and developed new software for the engine ECU for fossil-free fuel.”
Aleš Rada, Technical Head of Škoda Motorsport
Škoda Motorsport’s development partner was P1 Fuels. The Germany-based company is the sole fuel supplier to the WRC. No crude oil is used in producing P1 fuels; the innovative process utilises only carbon dioxide previously emitted into the atmosphere. Currently, the fuels cut greenhouse gas emissions by 80% compared to fossil petrol, with the ultimate goal being a 95% reduction.
At the same time, the fuels can be handled by mobile fuel stations during rallies just like any other fuel. Škoda Motorsport development driver Oliver Solberg, one of the fastest competitors in the WRC2 category driving a Škoda Fabia RS Rally2, confirms: “The great news for rally drivers is that you don’t feel any difference. The octane rating is the same as conventional fuel; the performance is the same.”
More facts and background about the use of fossil-free fuel in Škoda Motorsport are presented in this video.
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