Last Updated on: 18th March 2024, 04:52 pm
Zero, at the forefront of producing synthetic fuel that is carbon-neutral and derived solely from air and water, displayed its pioneering energy solution at the 2024 Repco Adelaide Motorsport Festival this weekend. The event was highlighted by the use of Zero’s fuel in a Honda CB1100R, a motorbike renowned for its exclusivity in its class. This high-performance demonstration signified Zero’s formal introduction to the Australian market and offered a glimpse into the potential for the company’s first large-scale production in South Australia. Daryl Beattie, a motorcycle racer with victories in the Grand Prix, and Damon Hill, the 1996 Formula 1 World Champion, showcased the motorbike, evidencing that synthetic fuel can seamlessly integrate into even the most exceptional high-performance vehicles without necessitating engine modifications.
Zero is advancing its plans to set up a synthetic fuel manufacturing plant in South Australia by 2026. The upcoming facility aims to generate 6-12 million litres of carbon-neutral fuel per annum, with the potential to cut emissions by around 60,000 tonnes of CO2e each year. This venture is expected to invigorate the local economy by generating over 150 construction roles and up to 30 ongoing jobs. Zero has also engaged in a Memorandum of Understanding with the South Australian Government to probe further investment opportunities.
The selection of the Repco Adelaide Motorsport Festival as the platform to progress the company’s international expansion was intentional, considering motorsport is deeply ingrained in Zero’s ethos. This is evident from the background of CEO Paddy Lowe and a significant part of the company’s engineering team, who have their roots in Formula 1. Lowe’s illustrious F1 career spanned over three decades, contributing to 12 World Championships, 158 race victories, and orchestrating one of the most triumphant seasons in F1 history. Zero recently announced its collaboration with the Stake F1® Team Kick Sauber, becoming the first Official Partner in Formula 1 to provide synthetic fuel. The team has transferred its track-winning mentality to the development of 100% fossil-free, drop-in synthetic fuels that are set to elevate performance in motorbikes, automobiles, and more.
Starting from just air and water, every molecule of Zero’s fuel is meticulously crafted from the ground up, offering unparalleled levels of precision and adaptability for any current engine. The Honda CB1100R motorbike served as an exemplary demonstration of Zero’s adaptable synthetic fuel, proving that no vehicle, irrespective of its age or exclusivity, is beyond the scope of the energy transformation. The bike, produced in limited quantities from 1980 to 1983, was Honda’s initial homologation special, participating in production class competitions across Europe, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
The fuel demonstration at the 2024 Repco Adelaide Motorsport Festival featured Daryl Beattie taking the historic Honda CB1100R for a spin on Saturday, 16 March, and Hill riding the Motorbike on Sunday, 17 March. Both racers boast impressive careers – Beattie competed in the Grand Prix motorcycle World Championship (currently known as MotoGP) from 1992 to 1997, securing three 500cc Grand Prix wins and securing the second spot in the 1995 championship. Meanwhile, Hill was the last to triumph in the Adelaide-hosted Australian Grand Prix in 1995 and secured the Formula 1 World Championship in 1996, initially embarking on his career on two wheels before transitioning to four. The British racing legend participated in 115 grand prix races for Brabham, Williams, Arrows, and Jordan in Formula 1 from 1992 to 1999, claiming 22 victories and the World Championship with Williams in 1996. More recently, Hill collaborated with Zero, becoming the inaugural individual to operate a go-kart propelled entirely by synthetic fuel in 2023.
Event Director Tim Possingham remarked, “We were incredibly excited to see this activation unfold here in South Australia, as the state now produces more renewable energy than any other gigawatt grid in the world and with a hydrogen electrolyser that is ten times bigger than anything currently in existence, South Australia has become a place of incredible significance for alternative fuels and renewables. This activity had relevance to where the state is headed in respect to sustainability, but it also celebrated our motorsport heritage we possess here. It’s a perfect demonstration of the old-meets-new that the Adelaide Motorsport Festival showcases so well.”
Nick Champion, South Australia’s Minister for Trade and Investment, observed:
“The potential to have Zero Petroleum’s manufacturing facility located in South Australia, will add to our booming plans for the state’s future prosperity.
We have an opportunity to grow South Australia’s economy by providing the key ingredients needed for global decarbonisation.
South Australia’s economy is going from strength to strength having been ranked number one in the nation by CommSec, and events like the investment symposium at the Adelaide Motorsport Festival help foster new opportunities for growth.”
Paddy Lowe, Zero’s CEO and founder, stated: “The Government of South Australia has transformed the region into a global hub of renewable solar and wind power development, and Zero is excited by the prospect of joining its thriving green hydrogen economy. Following our exploration into the market, we were proud to showcase our first Australian demonstration at the Adelaide Motorsport Festival as they do an excellent job of bridging the gap between treasured motorsport heritage and the future of fuel. Fueling a motorbike as unique and classic as the Honda CB1100R showed that the rich history of racing will be alive and well as we transition to fossil-free solutions, and at Zero, we are working closely with South Australia to bring this vision to life.”
Taking place a week prior to the Australian Grand Prix, the Repco Adelaide Motorsport Festival acted as a dynamic museum, showcasing an array of historic, rare, and notable racing vehicles on the Victoria Park stretch of the Adelaide Street Circuit. The festival highlighted categories such as Formula 1, V8 Supercars, Group C and A touring cars, sports cars, among others, alongside on-track showcases, off-track exhibitions, villas, and additional attractions.
Now in its decade of running, the Adelaide Motorsport Festival is a significant draw and economic booster for South Australia. It celebrates the entire spectrum of motoring and motorsport, uniting the newest electric and hybrid vehicles, electric race and rally cars, electric bicycles, scooters, and motorbikes, among others, in the E-Motion Zone presented by the City of Adelaide, displayed in conjunction with the Zero demonstration.
For more information on the 2024 Repco Adelaide Motorsport Festival, please visit AdelaideMotorsportFestival.com.au.
