Energy & Science

Racing Cars Are About to Start Running on Wine Dregs

TotalEnergies is creating a 100% renewable fuel for motorsport
The 2021 Porsche Supercup has been trialling biofuel since May

The Toyota TS050 Hybrid Hypercar WEC’s Japan driver Kamui Kobayashi steers his car during the 89th edition of Le Mans 24 Hours endurance race on Aug. 21, 2021.Photographer: Jean-Francois Monier/AFP/Getty Images

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By Damian Shepherd

August 25, 2021 at 5:41 PM UTC

Updated on

August 26, 2021 at 12:00 AM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

Automakers and energy giants are rethinking the environmental impact of motorsports, so much so that next year’s edition of the world’s oldest endurance race will be won in a car powered by wine dregs.

Oil major TotalEnergies SE said Aug. 20 that it’s developing its own 100% renewable fuel for motorsport which will be introduced from next year, including at the 24 Hours of Le Mans race in France, where the car that covers the greatest distance in a full day wins.