Mercedes finishes Mille Miglia on synthetic fuel
P1 Fuels provides carbon-neutral petrol for classic Benzes as well as pre-war Alfa and Bentley
Another day, another alternative fuel story. But hey, if it can keep some of our favourite old cars on road and in races for the foreseeable future, we’re all for it. The latest comes from P1 Fuels. In a world first, Mercedes-Benz Classic fuelled its Mille Miglia competitors - more than one 300SL Gullwing and a pre-war SSK - with fossil-free, carbon neutral fuel from P1. The ECO100PRO good stuff is described as a ‘drop-in’ alternative, too, meaning no modifications were required to the cars.
It wasn’t just the Mercs, either, even if they’ll inevitably hog the headlines. P1 petrol was also used in Italy by Vintage Bentley in Katarina Kyvalova’s 4.5-litre, the first time a pre-war Bentley had completed the MM on synthetic fuel. Same for the Alfa 6C Gasogene; it first competed in the Mille Miglia in 1933 and was known - get this - ‘for its adaptability to run on solid fuels like charcoal’. Yikes. Back then fuel quality couldn’t always be guaranteed, meaning alternatives were often sought. So as well as being the first pre-war Alfa to run the classic road race on fossil-free fuel, it’s surely the only one – maybe the only car – to have ever been powered by three fuels: petrol, synthetic fuel and coal – although it was actually a combustible produced from coal.
Martin Popilka, CEO of P1 Fuels, said: “What a race. If we have shown anything then it’s a statement on the ease of using synthetic fuels – from modern racers to timeless pre-war cars – if they can do it, so can any other [internal] combustion engine car.
“Partnering with Mercedes-Benz Classic, an OEM with such great heritage in engineering and protecting cars to power them in the future, when the cars crossed the finish line, I had such a great sense of pride and honour that they [Mercedes-Benz Classic] trusted us to deliver for them on such an important endurance race.
“As I stand here today, I feel like our participation in this year’s Mille Miglia has impacted the future of endurance races and would be pushing what P1 [Fuels] has been dedicated to change for the better; a cleaner and more sustainable option for these historic events, without sacrificing motoring heritage.” Sounds pretty good to us. P1 Fuels will also be at next month’s Festival of Speed, where its fuel will be used to power both an ex-Mansell Williams FW14B and a former Senna McLaren MP4/8, each to be driven by Sebastian Vettel. That ought to be worth a watch…
Personally I’m happy that synthetic fuel is proceeding although the price is still prohibitive for many or most users at present but that ‘should’ come down…
For wider transport it's not particularly scaleable, nor affordable and still obviously doesn't comply with zero tailpipe emission criteria but these aren't hurdles for motorsport.
TX.
Forget battery EVs for a moment, if that's possible given your total obsession with them. You'll be able to get one eventually but you'll just have to wait in line. Just what on Earth is your reasoning for synthetic fuels being a viable replacement to fossil fuel?
To reiterate, take a break from obsessing about EVs and just explain how synthetic fuels will scale up to replace fossil fuels for your needs and those around you? Because that's what you are talking about and it's the gibbering of an inane fool.
TX.
Forget battery EVs for a moment, if that's possible given your total obsession with them. You'll be able to get one eventually but you'll just have to wait in line. Just what on Earth is your reasoning for synthetic fuels being a viable replacement to fossil fuel?
To reiterate, take a break from obsessing about EVs and just explain how synthetic fuels will scale up to replace fossil fuels for your needs and those around you? Because that's what you are talking about and it's the gibbering of an inane fool.
1.5bn cars on the road right now and you can't see any reason for it to scale up?
TX.
TX.
Forget battery EVs for a moment, if that's possible given your total obsession with them. You'll be able to get one eventually but you'll just have to wait in line. Just what on Earth is your reasoning for synthetic fuels being a viable replacement to fossil fuel?
To reiterate, take a break from obsessing about EVs and just explain how synthetic fuels will scale up to replace fossil fuels for your needs and those around you? Because that's what you are talking about and it's the gibbering of an inane fool.
1.5bn cars on the road right now and you can't see any reason for it to scale up?
TX.
If you can find the evidence that I am saying EV is the only future then dive in but that's merely a figment of your enraged and confused mind as that has never happened, nor will it. Questioning someone for making unfounded, uneducated, incorrect statements is not the same as saying EVs are the only future. It's not a football game for the slow witted.
Nor did I say synthetic fuels are not going to scale up, I am merely asking you to show your workings in your devout and erroneous opinions.
So, how will these fuels scale up to the point that you think they will? Why do you even think these fuels are for you any way?
1.5bn cars on the road right now and you can't see any reason for it to scale up?
TX.
We have just over 10,000 wind turbines is the UK right now.
As the number of EV's increases the demand for petrol will drop, making the expensive synthetic fuels pointless.
More than enough petrol will be available to keep 'classics' running for decades.
As the number of EV's increases the demand for petrol will drop, making the expensive synthetic fuels pointless.
More than enough petrol will be available to keep 'classics' running for decades.
Forums | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff