The FIA has mandated the use of 100% sustainable fuel derived from ‘Advanced Sustainable Components’ from the 2026 Formula 1 season, ensuring that fuels come from sustainable feedstocks and that they also meet stringent greenhouse gas emissions thresholds.
Sustainable Racing Fuel Assurance Scheme
The Sustainable Racing Fuel Assurance Scheme (SRFAS) has been developed by Zemo Partnership and the FIA to provide robust assurance of the deployment of sustainable, low carbon fuels in motor sport.
The scheme is designed to further encourage the deployment of low carbon fuels in the wider market. The fuel used in racing cars is a demonstration of the emissions reductions achievable and could be applied more widely to the existing fleet of vehicles. There are currently over 1 billion internal combustion engines (ICEs) worldwide. This development will provide a high-profile example of the emissions reductions that can be achieved through the use of certified sustainable fuel.
The scheme provides an independent and impartial framework for approving each batch of racing fuel produced by racing fuel suppliers. It is underpinned by a third-party verification process to ensure compliance with the FIA’s standards for the blended racing fuel and associated components. As the scheme manager for SRFAS, Zemo Partnership will oversee compliance verification working closely with accredited auditing companies.
Gloria Esposito, Director of Sustainable Business at Zemo Partnership, who has led the initiative with the FIA said: “We’re delighted to be collaborating with the FIA on this innovative scheme which will help drive emissions reductions from the use of sustainable low carbon fuels in the FIA Formula One World Championship from 2026.
“I believe the worldwide appeal of Formula 1 will help raise awareness of the necessity to push towards net zero transport.”
Sustainability verification
Claire Haigh, Managing Director of Zemo Partnership, commented: “It’s vital that the renewable fuels used in ICE vehicles undergo robust sustainability verification to ensure they deliver clear benefits. I believe they have a significant role to play in decarbonising the UK’s vehicle fleet. We need to use ‘all the tools in the box’ to deliver the emissions reductions needed to achieve our targets.”
FIA President Mohamed Ben Sulayem added: “Innovation and progress go hand in hand and the FIA is at the forefront as we drive towards a sustainable future. Alternative fuels are the next step, and today we are bringing a significant part of our sustainability vision to life with the availability of FIA-certified sustainable fuel, underpinned by an extremely robust procedure we can all be confident in. These on-track innovations continue to help grow on-road changes that impact each of us in our daily lives.”
Renewable Fuels Assurance Scheme
Zemo Partnership has established itself as a trusted partner in the process of motor fuel sustainability verification, delivering the highly successful Renewable Fuels Assurance Scheme which now includes 46 approved suppliers.
Designed and managed by Zemo, RFAS verifies claims made by companies supplying renewable fuels to heavy duty vehicle and equipment operators regarding their product’s GHG emission savings and provenance of raw material feedstocks.
Image credit: The FIA