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MotoGP, Cecchinelli: “Starting in 2024, fuels won’t only be synthetic but also of organic origin”

The upcoming technical challenge that awaits MotoGP engineers will be e-fuels of non-fossil origin.

MotoGP: Cecchinelli: “Starting in 2024, fuels won’t only be synthetic but also of organic origin”

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The upcoming technical challenge that awaits MotoGP engineers is the introduction of e-fuels, namely, synthetic fuels. Fuels that are not of fossil origin, such as gasoline is.

According to current regulations, in 2024, all three classes of the World Championship will have to use engines that burn fuels which are at least 40% synthetic, and that will have to become 100% in 2027. But these statements are not entirely correct.

All the constructors are preparing for the change, and KTM recently announced that it has chosen Mobil 1 as a partner. The company (which is part of the ExxonMobil group) will focus on developing the new fuel for the RC16, as well as supplying lubricants.

This is certainly an interesting topic, and it is more embraceable by petrolheads than electric fuel. But an explanation was needed, and Corrado Cecchinelli, Technological Director for the MotoGP, provided just that.

What the regulation specifies is that, by 2024, 40% of the fuel must be of non-fossil origin, which is not equivalent to saying that it must be synthetic, since it is very possible to satisfy this requirement with hydrocarbons of organic origin. (A solution that, on the contrary, I personally think will be prevalent, but we won’t know that). This condition translates into measurable terms by requiring that the carbon-14 isotope fraction be 40% greater than the total carbon content. More plainly, C14/C>0.4.

Well, “plainly”, but up to a certain point.

 

Translated by Leila Myftija
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