What fuel does IndyCar use?

IndyCar racing utilises many unique elements in their cars. The cars used in IndyCars are different from road-legal cars. These open-wheel racing beasts are capable of producing around 900 hp with their 2.2 liter V6 engines with their twin-turbocharged hybrid engines. The technology used in IndyCar is the epitome of automotive vehicles. The aerodynamics, tyres, engines, transmission, etc, are designed to produce maximum power output with reliability to last throughout the race under various conditions. IndyCars also use an Energy Storage System which helps in overtaking. This system is hooked to the engine and delivers extra power to the engine at the press of a button.

IndyCar uses a different fuel in its cars compared to the road-going production vehicles. The primary criterion for the fuel is the ability to work with the engine. The fuel needs to produce the maximum power for the engine without taking up more resources to develop and create an efficient but fast car. IndyCar fuel has been developed and researched with utmost precision so that it can work with their cars in perfect harmony. If the fuel used in these cars is at a sub-par level, it can lead to serious consequences which include fatalities.

IndyCar Fuel

IndyCar uses E85 race fuel as per IndyStar. It is a mixture of 85 per cent Ethanol and 15 per cent octane. The fuel is sourced by Shell. Shell has been providing 100 per cent renewable sourced race fuel to IndyCar since 2023. IndyCar with the help of Shell was the first series to introduce this fuel. IndyCar tanks have a total fuel capacity of 18.5 U.S. gallons as per the official site of IndyCar. Shell states that the new Renewable race fuel is able to cut down Carbon emissions by 60 per cent without any change or drop in the performance of the car.

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