Carbon-Neutral Emissions

Synthetic fuels, produced through industrial processes, emit only the carbon extracted from the atmosphere during their production, making them a carbon-neutral option.

These innovative fuels can be used in standard internal combustion engines without modification, offering a promising solution for decarbonising the motor vehicle industry.

Synthetic fuels will debut in Formula 1 by 2026 with new-generation hybrid engines, marking a significant stride towards sustainability in motorsport.

Formula 1 has committed to adopting fully sustainable fuels as part of its ambitious plan to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2030.

The race is on to develop commercially viable synthetic fuels, with substantial rewards awaiting those who succeed in transforming the automotive industry.

Two such pioneers, Paddy Lowe and Martin Popilka, have entered the fray.

Paddy Lowe: Zero Petroleum

Paddy and his Chemistry Set

In 2018, Former Formula 1 engineer Paddy Lowe co-founded Zero Petroleum with Professor Nilay Shah of Imperial College London. They aim to develop carbon-neutral synthetic fuels as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels.

Zero Petroleum's fuel combines Direct Air Capture (DAC) to extract carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and electrolysis to produce hydrogen from water.

These elements are then synthesized using an updated Fischer-Tropsch process, resulting in fully carbon-neutral synthetic petrol, diesel, and jet fuel.

'Paddy Lowe isn't just breaking the mould; he's melting it down to see if he can make synthetic fuel out of it.'

In 2021, Zero Petroleum made history by powering the first aircraft flight using 100% synthetic fuel in collaboration with the Royal Air Force.

This achievement earned a Guinness World Record and underscored the potential of synthetic fuels in sectors like aviation.

Zero Petroleum's synthetic fuels can be used without modification in any engine that currently runs on traditional fossil fuels.

Including cars, planes, agricultural equipment, and military vehicles, offering a sustainable solution for existing engines.

The company has launched its first production facility, Plant Zero.1, in Oxford and plans to build a larger commercial-scale plant, Plant Zero.2, by 2025.

The goal is to make synthetic fuels globally available, significantly impacting industries reliant on high energy-density fuels.

While currently more expensive than fossil fuels, Zero Petroleum aims to reduce costs as production scales. By 2027, they target a price of around £3 per litre, positioning their fuel as a premium yet sustainable alternative.

Paddy Lowe's journey from Formula 1 to sustainable energy highlights the potential of synthetic fuels, especially in areas where electrification is not yet feasible.

Zero Petroleum stands at the forefront of this transition, offering a promising future for carbon-neutral energy.

'Paddy Lowe didn't just leave F1 to rest – he left to see if he could power the future with a chemistry set and a dream'

Martin Popilka: P1 Fuels

Martin's Gap in the Ozone Layer

'P1 Fuels is what happens when you mix a passion for speed with a conscience.'

Led by CEO Martin Popilka, P1 Fuels aims to revolutionise the fuel industry by offering 100% fossil-free fuel that works in any internal combustion engine without modifications, making it a viable option for decarbonising vehicles worldwide.

P1's fuel is produced using renewable electricity to create green hydrogen, combined with captured carbon to form methanol.

This methanol is converted into gasoline using P1's proprietary technology, allowing the fuel to be used directly in engines without refinery upgrades.

P1 Fuels is the official fuel supplier for the World Rally Championship (WRC) and has proven its fuel's performance under extreme conditions.

Sebastian Vettel also uses the company's fuel in his classic F1 cars, demonstrating its versatility and high performance.

Beyond motorsport, P1 Fuels is expanding into everyday vehicles and government fleets, with the fuel already being adopted in Germany.

This underscores its potential as a sustainable alternative for existing vehicles.

P1 Fuels is scaling production to make fossil-free fuel more widely available and affordable.

It aims to give consumers and companies a real choice to run their vehicles on environmentally friendly fuel, contributing to global decarbonisation efforts.

'Martin Popilka didn't just see a gap in the market; he saw a gap in the ozone layer'