Major new fuels backed by Ferrari boss as hydrogen 'could be a good option for the future'
Ferrari is expected to unveil its most expensive electric car next year
FERRARI
Hydrogen fuel cells, biofuels and electric powertrains could be the future of sports cars as manufacturers move away from petrol and diesel models.
The boss of luxury car maker Ferrari hinted that e-fuels could be the future of the industry, especially for higher-end supercars.
Benedetto Vigna said hydrogen and sustainable fuels can be used in motorsports and even in competitions such as Formula One events.
The 55-year-old detailed how environmentally friendly fuels could become “more and more a reality,” Autocar reported.
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Ferrari could consider unveiling a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle in the near future
PAHe said: “We are working with partners for 2026 for carbon-neutral fuel in Formula 1 [as part of new technical rules] and usually technologies start out on the track and migrate to the road.
"We believe there is still a valid way forward for ICE cars and this is going to be supported by the development of carbon-neutral fuel.”
The car brand is also set to unveil its first electric car which is estimated to cost drivers almost half a million pounds.
The first-of-its-kind sports car for the Italian manufacturer will cost at least £420,000, according to a Reuters source.
The new electric car is expected to launch later next year, with plans to further develop its electric offering to cater to its luxury audience.
Even without personal modifications, the upcoming Ferrari EV would still be one of the most expensive EVs on the market.
The new models will be produced in the car makers' new factory in Maranello, Italy which will be fully operational within a few months.
Once in full swing, the factory will be able to accommodate electric vehicles alongside its existing petrol and hybrid sports cars.
Ferrari is also in the process of unveiling its successor to the LaFerrari hypercar, which is said to feature a similar hybrid drivetrain to the 296 and SF90 supercars.
While the engine type has yet to be specified, there is speculation it could be fitted with hydrogen or electric fuel cells.
On top of its electric car pursuits, the company is also looking closely into hydrogen models, with Vigna saying: “We do not see it before 2030.
"I believe as well as that, the racing space can always be the first place for adapting technologies, hydrogen could be a good option for the future”.
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The Ferrari boss suggested that F1 cars and other motorsports vehicles could act as suitable trials for the new fuels
FERRARI
The latest hypercar - the Le Mans Ferrari 499P - is a four-wheel drive prototype which delivers a maximum power of 500kW to the wheels with a weight of 1,030 kilogrammes.
It has a hybrid powertrain which features an ICE engine and an energy recovery system embedded inside.