Ducati could trial e-fuel in MotoGP

Ducati could be looking at using e-fuel as an alternative to electric motorcycles, following stablemate Porsche’s US$75 million (A$99m) investment into a synthetic fuel plant in Chile.

A potential exploration of e-fuel by the Italian firm could coincide with MotoGP's desire to reduce fossil fuel use by 60 per cent in all classes by 2024 and 100 per cent by 2027.

Porsche’s large investment into HIF Global – a leader in e-fuel development – nets Porsche a 12.5 per cent stake in the company. It’s estimated that a recent round of financing will result in a “low nine-figure US dollar” cash injection for HIF Global.

According to Porsche, the newfound capital will be used to develop industrial e-fuel facilities in Chile, the US and Australia – all preferred for their plentiful amounts of renewable energy.

“Synthetic fuels offer attractive prospects across transportation sectors, from the automotive industry to the aviation and shipping sectors,” Porsche executive Michael Steiner told carsales. “We see ourselves as pioneers in e-fuels and want to drive the technology.”

Related Reading:
Ducati moves towards electric future with historic MotoE agreement
State governments agree to fund a hydrogen superhighway
FCAI says electric isn't the only solution

Steiner revealed that there are “at least some talks with other manufacturers of cars, as well as motorcycles who are interested in such fuel”.

“In the beginning, we do not have the volume to support the world,” said Steiner. “But, in principal, there is interest and we see ourselves as pioneers who move in that direction. We hope that others will follow.”

When pressed about whether he was referring to brands within the wider Volkswagen Group, Steiner responded: “Both – within and from outside.”

Ducati has already expressed interest in e-fuel, with VP of Global Sales, Francesca Millica, telling MCN in April 2021 that “we are looking carefully at other solutions for zero or minimal emissions, such as e-fuel”.

He continued: “Other brands in our group, such as Porsche, are looking at it, and it’s something we are looking at in the medium term.”

In the same interview, Millica also said that Ducati won’t produce an electric motorcycle soon, as it “cannot guarantee the pleasure, the range, the weight that Ducati riders expect”.

However, just six months later, Ducati announced that it would become the sole supplier for the electric-based MotoE World Cup from 2023 onwards.

Synthetic or e-fuels are considered as popular alternatives to electrification, as they can be used in standard internal combustion engines in place of petrol, LPG or diesel.

Given Ducati’s position as a luxury and high-performance motorcycle manufacturer, the increasing push for electrification is a concern, as it compromises the sound, feel and performance of the high-end motorcycles. E-fuel, in theory at least, would allow it to maintain its current platforms.

MotoGP will likely be the proving ground for any new fuel technology, with Dorna recently stating that it plans to outlaw fossil fuels by 2027. In addition, fuel in all MotoGP classes must be at least 40 per cent fossil fuel-free by 2024.

Ducati is yet to announce any official exploration of e-fuel, but there is a good chance it will follow in the footsteps of its sister company, with MotoGP a likely first stop in its e-fuel journey.