At 50 years old Carlos Checa is having another crack at the Dakar, his Astara Concept 01 vehicle is using a LS7 with a restrictor of 37 point 2 mm, has these interesting features about their fuel:
Sustainable Fuel.
Once again, we have chosen sustainable fuel for Dakar 2023, but this time we will use a 90% proportion. In other words, almost all the emissions of our road cars will be neutral.
E-fuel production is based on obtaining synthesis gas -through the use of renewable energies – which is subjected to successive chemical transformations that result in an eco-friendly liquid hydrocarbon which is easy to use, store and transport.
E-fuel is carbon neutral: it has no environmental impact. The CO2 emitted to the atmosphere during combustion is the same as what has been captured from the air during the production process. Furthermore, it does not emit solid waste or microparticles.
Like fossil fuels, e-fuel is able to store an enormous amount of energy in a very small, very lightweight size: one litre of e-fuel contains 10,752 kWh. Just 9.3 litres of this fuel can store the same amount of energy as a 100-kWh battery, which is 55 times heavier. The energy effi ciency of sustainable fuel is 12% higher than gasoline.
E-fuel can be stored and transported at ambient pressure and temperature, just like conventional fossil fuels and lubricants. Thanks to this, e-fuel can make use of the current transport and fuel distribution infrastructure (tanker trucks, pipelines, service stations…).
Furthermore, it is fully compatible with current internal combustion engines. In other words, it can power vehicles, airplanes and ships, which can keep operating in a sustainable, environmentally friendly manner.
Once the refi ning process is completed, e-fuel can completely replace conventional fuels and can be used as “e-gasoline”, “e-diesel”, “e-kerosene” and “e-lubricant”. e-fuel can also be mixed with conventional fuels and lubricants in any desired proportion, as its chemical composition is the same.
We will also measure our carbon footprint during the rally, but this year we will be even more committed compared to the previous edition, as e-fuel is an ecological, sustainable fuel thanks to its low emissions, both in the production phase and in its use, and solves the challenges of the energy transition concerning the storage and transportation of renewable energies.
Carbon footprint
In 2022, we showed that we were the most sustainable team at Dakar, auditing and more than offsetting our carbon footprint. Now, we’re setting the bar even higher. The ASTARA TEAM also wants to be an example of sustainability in the world of competition at Dakar 2023.
We are coming back to compete at the highest level with the least environmental impact, without an enormous expenditure of resources, putting the best possible solution on the ground in terms of performance and environmental protection.
This is our commitment, and we want to prove it with words and also facts. In 2023, the ASTARA TEAM will once again measure and report the carbon footprint generated in Dakar.
This processing of accounting and reporting the emissions from the ASTARA TEAM’s participation in 2023 will follow the standardized measurement protocols (GHG Protocol, ISO 14064) and will be revised by a renowned independent entity.
The GHG Protocol establishes 3 possible scopes when measuring the carbon footprint.
Scope 1: direct GHG emissions. For example, emissions coming from combustion in boilers, ovens, vehicles and so on, which are owned or controlled by the entity in question. This also includes leaked emissions (e.g., air conditioning leaks, methane leaks from pipes and so on).
Scope 2: Indirect GHG emissions associated with generating electricity acquired and consumed by the organization.
Scope 3: other indirect emissions. Some examples of activities in Scope 3 include the extraction and production of materials that the organization acquires, the work trips through external means, the transportation of raw materials, fuel and products (for example, logistical activities) carried out by third parties and the use of products or services offered by other parties.
In 2022 our measurements involved scopes 1 and 2. This year, we will also include Scope 3. At the end of the competition, we will create a full report of our carbon footprint and we will more than offset it like we did last year.
https://www.astarateam.com/en/the-car-01-concept/
