The obscure link between motorsport and energy efficient, low-carbon innovation: Evidence from the UK and European Union

Motor racing conjures many images - fast cars, celebrity drivers, cheering crowds but few involve environmental benefits protection. Yet one aspect of the motorsport industry that is rarely discussed is its significant contribution to Energy Efficient and Low-Carbon (ELC) innovation within the automotive sector. This article argues that innovations in motorsport have, perhaps counterintuitively, influenced the development of ELC innovations in the passenger car industry. Historically, motorsport has been credited for many technological innovations that were eventually adapted to road cars, but as technologies matured, the contributions from motorsport lessened. However, post-2008, Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) motorsport came to the rescue of automakers tasked with rapidly developing ELC technologies in order to meet emissions targets set out by the European Union. With an expertise in rapid prototyping and access to engineers already skilled in electrification, hybridisation and other ELC technologies, the motorsport industry has once again become highly relevant in the knowledge transfer of ELC innovation. By using primary qualitative interview data from industry experts and policymakers, this article explains how innovation derived from motorsport has helped automakers develop ELC solutions that comply with newly implemented EU regulations. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.