Mercedes decides to use biofuel during upcoming European GP to become carbon neutral

Despite facing many issues on track and lagging behind multiple teams on various occasions, Mercedes is winning in another aspect of the game. The team has significantly increased its use of sustainable fuel for the 2024 F1 season, intensifying efforts to reduce carbon emissions at the racetrack. 

After initially introducing sustainable biofuels for its team trucks during the last three European races of the 2022 season, Mercedes has progressively expanded this initiative. The 2024 season marks a milestone as the team commits to a fully bio-fuelled European season, underscoring its dedication to becoming carbon net zero by 2030.

Mercedes will utilize HVO100 biofuel across its race team operations this summer in collaboration with fuel supplier Petronas and logistics partners. This initiative builds on the 67 per cent emissions savings achieved in 2023. The Mercedes Actros trucks transporting the team’s trailers and equipment across Europe will be refuelled with HVO100. 

Each truck, covering between nine to ten thousand kilometres during the summer, is expected to reduce CO2e emissions by approximately 90 per cent per kilometre compared to standard diesel. In 2023, these trucks travelled a combined distance of 386,000 kilometres, resulting in a carbon reduction of 339 tonnes of CO2e compared to diesel.

Mercedes will use biofuel during GP too!

Beyond the trucks, Mercedes will also use biofuel in generators powering its trackside hospitality and engineering units, ensuring the team motorhome operates exclusively on HVO100. The full impact of these carbon emission savings will be documented at the end of the season after the nine European races are completed and the data is thoroughly analyzed.

Speaking about it team chief Toto Wolff said, “Sustainable fuels powering our European season logistics are a key part of our transition plans helping the team and our sport move towards a Net Zero future. We have increased our investment to deliver further efficiencies with the projected emissions reductions reflecting the combined efforts of the team, Petronas, and our logistics partners. Fuel innovation sits at the heart of the changes coming to our sport in 2026 and I am proud to lead a team so committed to driving sustainable change.”