UK independent fuel and lubricants distributor Certas Energy has overseen the collaboration with the British Truck Racing Association (BTRA) and Shell to obtain FIA approval on the use of a cleaner-burning diesel alternative fuel.

To help reduce local air emissions, Shell’s Gas-to-liquid (GTL) Fuel, supplied exclusively in the UK by Certas Energy, has been approved for use with immediate effect in the MV Commercial BTRA Division 2 Truck Racing Championship.

Shell GTL Fuel is a paraffinic fuel with improved combustion properties inside standard and heavy-duty diesel engines. It can be used as a drop-in fuel in diesel engines without the need for vehicle modifications or new infrastructure.

At MV Commercial BTRA Division 2 Truck Racing Championship race meetings in Thruxton and Brands Hatch, emissions test equipment developer and manufacturer Premier Diagnostics tested racing trucks including SISU, Seddon Atkinson and Renault vehicles running on Shell GTL Fuel and diesel for emissions of harmful pollutants.

The tests – run with a four-gas analyser and a DS2 smoke meter – revealed significant reductions in nitrogen oxides (NOx) and smoke when using Shell GTL Fuel compared to conventional diesel.

Dedicated emissions studies have shown Shell GTL Fuel can reduce NOx emissions by up to 37 per cent, and particulate matter (PM) by up to 50 per cent compared to conventional diesel.

The cleaner burning diesel alternative is also biodegradable and non-toxic as it is free of harmful components such as sulphur, metals, and aromatics.