The NTT INDYCAR SERIES has been using E85 fuels (85% ethanol; 15% gasoline) since the current Dallara chassis was introduced in 2012 and engine competition began between Chevrolet and Honda. With all protagonists onboard for the immediate future of America’s top open-wheel competition, in 2023 the fuel designation will change.
On Thursday, May 26, INDYCAR announced it would be partnering with Shell/Pennzoil for its future fuel needs; a day later the parameters of the series’ fuel, oil and lubricant choices were announced by INDYCAR, its engine partners and Shell/Pennzoil.
Starting in 2023, all Indy cars will be fueled by a non-food-based, 100 percent renewable fuel produced by Shell/Pennzoil and sourced from Raizen, a joint venture of Shell and Cosan. Based on sugar cane and made in the hometown of four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves, Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil, this product consists of a blend of second-generation ethanol derived from sugarcane waste and other biofuels.
Comprised 100 percent of feedstocks categorized as “renewable” under applicable regulatory frameworks, the fuel developed by Shell makes the NTT INDYCAR SERIES the first North American motorsports series to use fully renewable fuel for its race cars. This enables at least 60 percent greenhouse gas emissions reduction compared to fossil-based gasoline.
This is a big deal at a time when neither IMSA, NASCAR or even Formula One are close to going green in their fuel and internal combustion engine (ICE) oils and lubricants. Even F1, considered to be the echelon of technology, isn’t going to have completely 100% renewable fuels until 2026. The series currently uses a gasoline-type fuel with 10 percent ethanol mixed in and states that there just isn’t sufficient volume of 100% renewable fuels to supply F1 around the world.
Still, INDYCAR and Shell/Pennzoil believe they can produce sufficient 100 percent renewable fuel through this Cosan production. In Formula One, there would be a necessity to re-introduce pit stops and refueling, which isn’t the direction the FIA has chosen for its top open-wheel series. Some of that is due to the partnerships between teams and fuel providers, who do have partnerships with the teams (such as Petronas with AMG-Mercedes and Shell’s longstanding Ferrari partnership).
While fuel in F1 cars accounts for less than one percent of the series’ total carbon footprint, it’s the public perception that makes completely renewable fuels important to F1 and the car companies competing. Currently testing is underway, using a single cylinder version of each manufacturer’s F1 engine, needed to get more and accurate information, as well as discerning the proper formula before it moves on to V6 testing and then track testing in advance of the 2026 season.
On the other hand, in INDYCAR the manufacturers have already been testing the Shell 100 percent cellulosic renewable fuel and have discovered that it works quite well with their current 2.2-liter engines and with the new 2.4-liter hybrid-based engines that will power INDYCAR beginning with the 2024 season. Being able to prepare and properly test a new engine formula with both the expected fuel properties and with the carbon neutral motor oil that Shell is producing for INDYCAR use is beneficial for all parties concerned.
“This race fuel development for INDYCAR is a great example of how fuels technology is pivotal in helping decarbonize the sport,” noted Dr. Selda Gunsel, president of Shell Global Solutions, who was present for the announcement. “Today’s development takes us one step closer to that goal.”
Raizen, one of the largest sugarcane ethanol producers in the world and owner of the first commercial second-generation ethanol plant is the source for this fuel. Raizen is a Brazilian joint-venture created in 2011 by Shell and Cosan. “It is an honor for Raizen to contribute advanced ethanol to this renewable race fuel, and it’s an exciting introduction to one of the most iconic motorsport categories,” noted Ricardo Mussa, CEO of Raizen.
The change from first-generation corn-based ethanol to second-generation biofuel that comes from biomass such as sugar cane maize and includes some renewable components from food waste, allows an easy transition from the food-based E85 ethanol used in INDYCAR today. Additionally, Shell’s Pennzoil Synthetics 0W oils are carbon neutral. Pennzoil are the official motor oil and lubricant sponsor of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and allow both Chevrolet and Honda to deliver the level of performance trusted by the teams and the series.
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