Testing a Dakar car like the Astara 01 Concept is a unique experience, but it is also the perfect ‘excuse’ to know all the details behind the Astara Team project. The formation of Óscar Fuertes is not just another structure, since can boast of being the most sustainable structure of the Dakar 2022. In fact, the Spanish squad has the honor of being the team with the lowest carbon footprint in rally history. The commitment to e-fuel has been key to achieving this milestone.
In recent years, different initiatives have emerged to compete in the Dakar with 100% electric and hybrid vehicles -cars and trucks-, perhaps the project with the greatest impact being the one initiated by Audi this year with its extended-range hybrid 4×4, the Audi RS Q e-tron. However, None of these projects have managed to balance performance, investment and environmental impact like the Astara Team has.. The key is to bet on a technological solution different from that of all these projects.
The Astara Team analyzed for a long time the different existing possibilities and came to the conclusion that e-fuel was the most efficient solution to achieve its goal to contest the Dakar with a zero carbon footprint. The e-fuel used by the two Astara 01 Concepts is 70% sustainable and allows emissions savings of 65%. In addition, it is the first synthetic fuel intended for competition that It has the seal of the FIA by complying with the requirements of the regulations approved on January 1, 2022.
The e-fuel of the Astara Team only increases the consumption of the Astara 01 Concept by 6%, but the emissions are much lower than those that would occur with an equivalent normal gasoline. On a technical level, the car loses around 10% power, but manages offer more torque with this synthetic fuel, which is perfect for the requirements of a race like the Dakar. In the end, the competitive level of the 01 Concept compared to the Century CR6 -basic model- with normal fuel has been practically identical or even higher.
The data speaks for itself. The use of this e-fuel has allowed a saving of 7.73 tons of emissions during the participation of the Astara Team in the Dakar. The formation has thus gone on to reduce its emissions from 23 to 16 tonsof which just 4.18 tons are from the 01 Concepts themselves, despite using almost 9,000 liters of this synthetic fuel during the race. To compensate for these emissions, Astara participates in compensation projects -reforestation- in Peru (Amazonas) and in Madrid capital.
As there is no type of compulsory control, Astara Team has undergone an audit by AENORa body of great prestige and experience when it comes to analyzing the carbon footprint of products, companies or projects. The company has accredited the emissions of the equipment for a value of 16.18 tons during its passage through Saudi Arabia -competition and team activity during the race and transfers-. At the same time, another auditing company has validated the compensation of these emissions to achieve this zero carbon footprint. Objective achieved!
Photos: Motor.es / Astara Team