Oldest rally in the Netherlands gets exclusive fuel scoop. The Netherlands, 1st June 2012 – During the 48th edition of the ELE Rally – the oldest rally in the Netherlands – the advanced and sustainable GEM Fuel will be officially introduced in the BioMCN 350Z Challenge class. GEM (Gasoline Ethanol Methanol) is a unique and sustainable fuel which consists of gasoline, bio-ethanol and bio-methanol, which can be mixed in various ratios relative to each other. It has almost identical properties as E85[1] with a significantly lower CO2 footprint than traditional fossil fuels. This is an important next step in sustainable racing and mobility in the Netherlands.
The GEM Fuel concept was developed and extensively tested in 2011 by BioMCN in collaboration with Lotus Engineering. Early 2012 BioMCN started production, together with the GUTTS foundation which is dedicated to promoting sustainable motor sports. Subsequently, in consultation with the Dutch National Autosport Federation (KNAF), the decision was made to test the fuel in the BioMCN 350Z Challenge[2]with 14 cars in several rallies. During the ELE rally, the entire class will start on GEM Fuel, making it the world’s first rallycup to be using this renewable fuel. GEM Fuel is a multi-blend fuel composed of several renewable raw materials that can be used in variable compositions. By replacing a part of the ethanol (in the original ethanol/gasoline blend) by second generation bio-methanol, the fuel continues to perform the same as E85. This means that flexi-fuel vehicles can run on GEM Fuel without additional modificationsto either the vehicles or the infrastructure. Moreover, it increases the opportunitiesto replace a greater share of fossil fuel by sustainable biofuels.
Thanks to the efforts of BioMCN, the GUTTS Foundation, the entire 350Z Challenge and the KNAF, another important and unique step is being made towards sustainable autosport and mobility in the Netherlands.
[1]E85: 85% bio-ethanol, 15% gasoline [2] Organised by Biesheuvel Autosport