FIA 2025 Report Tracks Motorsport's Clean Energy Transition

Motorsport's governing body has published its 2025 Sustainability and Diversity & Inclusion Report showing how energy transformation is reshaping competitive racing and global mobility. The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) documented changes in fuel standards, power systems and transport logistics across its championships.

According to the FIA, the changes represent a shift from commitments to operational implementation. The report focuses on hydrogen regulation, sustainable fuels, EV platforms and low-carbon infrastructure across Formula 1 and Formula E.

The organisation's approach combines technical regulation with practical deployment across multiple racing series. This dual strategy addresses both competitive requirements and environmental performance standards within the motorsport sector.

Hydrogen and cleaner fuel standards

The FIA approved technical and safety regulations for liquid hydrogen-powered competition vehicles in 2025. This framework could establish a precedent for hydrogen use in motorsport environments.

Motorsport has historically served as a testing environment for technologies that later enter commercial transport. The hydrogen regulations follow this pattern.

The report documents increased deployment of sustainable fuels and hybrid-electric systems within major championships. Formula 1 introduced centralised low-carbon power systems across European Grands Prix that delivered approximately a 90% reduction in energy emissions compared to previous systems, according to the FIA.

These power systems represent a significant infrastructure investment across multiple racing venues. The deployment model provides a template for similar installations at other international sporting events and large-scale gatherings.

H.E Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the FIA: "Our diversity is our strength. Looking ahead, our direction is clear."

"We will continue to innovate, strengthen frameworks and raise standards.

"Together, we are shaping a future in which motor sport and mobility are not only more sustainable, but more inclusive, accessible and truly reflective of the diverse global community we serve."

Electric racing and vehicle development

The ABB FIA Formula E Championship has become a platform for EV technology development. The report outlines the launch of the GEN4 race car, which was designed with recyclable materials and includes at least 20% recycled content.

Formula E reduced emissions by shifting logistics from air to sea freight. The championship also implemented sustainability standards across teams and promoters.

The series continues to function as a development laboratory for battery technology, energy management systems and regenerative braking solutions. These innovations subsequently inform commercial EV engineering and manufacturing processes.

Beyond racing circuits, the FIA supports EV adoption initiatives and driving behaviour programmes in several countries. These efforts combine electric mobility with infrastructure development and public engagement.

Andrew Fraser, FIA Chair, Sustainability and Diversity & Inclusion Committee: "In 2025, we continued to strengthen the frameworks that deliver value to member clubs, colleagues, teams and wider stakeholders every day."

"From enabling environmental performance through to increasing participation and strengthening career pathways, the FIA is driving meaningful outcomes across the sectors we serve."

Supply chain and fuel certification

The report examines supply chain management as a component of emissions reduction. In preparation for the 2026 Formula 1 regulations, all sustainable fuels must meet certification requirements covering GHG performance, origin verification and supply chain traceability.

The FIA appointed DHL as its Global Logistics Partner in 2025. DHL introduced hydrotreated vegetable oil-powered trucks across the European race calendar, reducing transport-related emissions by an average of 83% compared to conventional diesel, according to the report.

These procurement decisions link sustainability targets to operational delivery systems. The changes demonstrate how logistics partnerships can influence transport emissions while maintaining operational requirements for global events.

The logistics transformation extends beyond vehicle fuel choices to include route optimisation, consolidated shipping schedules and regional distribution centres. This integrated approach addresses multiple emission sources within the transport chain.

Alessandra Malhamé, FIA Senior Director People, Workplace and D&I: "At the FIA, our mission extends beyond motor sport."

"We are committed to fostering diversity, inclusion and accessibility across our work.

"As we strengthen our approach, the focus is not only on expanding initiatives, but on delivering lasting, measurable impact. Ensuring talent can emerge from the widest possible pool is essential to the future of both motor sport and mobility."

The FIA World Championships Roadmap now integrates supplier selection, carbon reduction plans and sustainable infrastructure requirements. This extends sustainability expectations throughout the value chain.

Digital tools and manufacturing processes

The FIA expanded its partnership with Siemens to integrate digital twin technology and advanced simulation tools into race car design and regulation development.

These systems allow engineers to test aerodynamic performance, material choices and component efficiency in virtual environments.

This approach could reduce the need for physical prototypes and lower associated environmental impacts. Virtual testing environments create data before physical manufacturing begins.

The digital infrastructure supports iterative design processes that would be impractical using traditional physical testing methods. Engineers can evaluate hundreds of design variations within compressed timeframes whilst reducing material consumption.

Willem Groenewald, FIA Secretary General Mobility, Sustainability and Tourism: "Motor sport and mobility have a critical role to play in shaping a more sustainable future."

"In 2025, the FIA strengthened the frameworks, standards and tools that help Member Clubs, championships and events turn environmental ambition into measurable action across the global motor sport and mobility ecosystem."

The FIA collaborated with McLaren Racing and Deloitte to create the F1 Constructor's Circularity Handbook.

This document provides teams with a standardised method for measuring material circularity in manufacturing.

The framework helps organisations reduce waste, improve resource efficiency and increase material reuse across vehicle production.

By embedding circular economy principles into engineering processes, the FIA is encouraging industrial practices that could extend beyond motorsport into the wider automotive sector.