Energy Efficient Motorsport

EEMS is currently backed by not only the British Government but also the the Motorsport Industry Association (MIA) and many other interested companies.

The programme has already proved that alternative technologies are more than able to compete in some of today's toughest and fastest racing stages throughout the globe. Racing series in which these technologies can be found include series such as Le Mans and the British Touring Car Championship. These have successfully managed to underline the value of economical fuel such as Bio-ethanol,Liquid Petroleum Gas and Diesel. 

Their Targets

• At least one high profile UK championship to be running to fuel flow based engine regulations, which will allow considerable technical freedom for engineers to develop race winning fuel efficient and environmentally friendly technologies.

• OEM’s from around the world to be working in partnership with UK motorsport companies to compete in championships based on EEMS concepts.

• Cars using different fuels and engine technologies to be racing competitively in the same championship. Hybrid engines and energy storage systems to be seen in the same race events.

• Petrol to no longer be seen as the only fuel capable of delivering high performance and high efficiency. Motorsport competitors to be using a range of alternative fuels including bio-fuels made from wholly renewable resources.

• High performance Eco Record Breaking, focussed on one or two annual events.

Progression & Achievements

(2005) Oaktec Racing - First petrol/electric hybrid vehicle to compete in the 1000 special stage rally championship 

(2006) Ratt Racing – The conversion of a conventional mini to compete, using E85 bio ethanol fuel.

(2007) Barwell Motorsport – Conversion of a petrol Aston Martin DBRS9 to run on bioethanol

(2007) Jenkins Motorsport – Conversion of a racing truck to use bio-diesel

(2009) Williams F1 - Flywheel based kinetic energy recovery system developed for Williams F1 (KERS)

(2010) Delta Westfield - Electric racing car from Westfield set to charge up in 2010 

Current Studies 

(2010)Millers Oils & BTCC - In accordance with the development and production of more energy efficient lubricants and improving the performance of energy efficient fuels with the use of advanced fuel additives.

(2012)EEMS Accelerate - By providing some of today's well known driving enthusiasts with British engineered and designed electric vehicles for 12 months. The project aims to change the perceptions and attitudes  towards electric vehicles, whilst showcasing today's current sustainable technologies. 

Factors Effecting Progression

 There is a widely held belief that energy efficiency and green technology are not compatible with exciting Motorsport. This is simply not the case – in fact the UK Motorsport industry stands to benefit considerably by adopting EEMS concepts and taking a leading global role.

The EEMS project will create opportunities for alternative fuels. How EEMS evolves and progresses in the future will depend on how manufacturers, teams and competitors take up these opportunities.

At present motorsport regulations typically do not cater for teams or manufacturers wishing to run cars on alternative (non-fossil based) fuels or cars featuring novel technologies aimed at increasing efficiency.

In the UK, the EEMS Project Team is developing ideas for a new approach to Motorsport technical regulations that will allow cars powered by different fuels and with different engine configurations, to compete on an equal footing.

By allowing cars using alternative fuels to genuinely compete with gasoline fuelled cars, Motorsport can do much to accelerate the acceptance of these fuels and technologies by the public. By showing that one does not have to sacrifice performance with a low emission vehicle, Motorsport could help to dispel some of the negative connotations that exist with the general perception of ‘green’ vehicles.

 “It is absolutely the right time to engage with energy efficient Motorsport technologies which will benefit the general public road vehicles in years to come”.