Gevo to supply low-carbon racing fuel to Shell for motorsports

Gevo, Inc., based in Englewood, Colorado, U.S.A., has entered into a purchase agreement with Shell Global Solutions Deutschland GmbH to supply a renewable hydrocarbon-based low-carbon intensity fuel blendstock. This innovative fuel will be used in premium motorsport applications, showcasing how sustainability can go hand-in-hand with high performance.

Gevo’s blendstock, derived from sustainable feedstocks such as agricultural waste, is designed to meet the demanding needs of racing while significantly reducing carbon emissions. This partnership aligns with both companies’ goals of promoting sustainable energy solutions in the transportation sector.

Damien Perriman, Gevo’s chief business development officer, emphasised the importance of this collaboration in advancing the use of low-carbon fuels in high-performance settings. Shell, a global leader in specialty fuels, views this as an opportunity to further enhance the sustainability of motorsports while maintaining peak efficiency and performance.

“The racing industry exhilarates and inspires, and its enormous audience has an appreciation of what technology can do to enhance the human experience. Leading companies across the globe are looking to Gevo to deliver net-zero fuels and chemicals. With products like renewable fuels for all modes of transportation, specialty additives for lubricants, and sustainable chemicals that replace outdated technologies, Gevo is thrilled to drive this transformation.” 

Matthias Mundt, general manager, Fuels Technology, Future Mobility Portfolio at Shell, says: “As a supplier of specialty fuels to racing series around the world, Shell is focused on improving sustainability while maximising efficiency and performance, such as with the 100% renewable race fuel we developed for the NTT INDYCAR series. We are pleased to collaborate with Gevo to explore the possibilities provided by their low-carbon intensity products.” 

Gevo produces its renewable fuels at several locations in the United States. One key facility is the Net-Zero 1 plant in Lake Preston, South Dakota. This site is designed to produce approximately 65 million gallons (246 million litres) of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable gasoline annually. 

Another important site is the Luverne Facility in the state of Minnesota, where Gevo produces renewable isobutanol, a key component for creating sustainable aviation fuel and renewable gasoline. The Luverne facility also supports Gevo’s testing and optimisation of unit operations for future facilities like Net-Zero 1​.