Behind the Scenes of the Dakar: 100% Renewable Energy with AUTOhebdo and Roole

Since its beginnings, the Dakar has always aimed to go beyond mere sporting competition to address societal and environmental challenges.

As early as 1985, with Daniel Balavoine and Thierry Sabine, the program “Paris-Dakar, a race of the heart” initiated a solidarity tradition, marked by projects such as access to clean water in Africa and combating poverty in South America. More recently, the event has engaged in the Middle East, inevitably raising questions about these noble values given the unpredictable respect for human rights in these new regions. Several actions have fortunately been undertaken, including support for the Help Center association, dedicated to children with disabilities.

But the event is also a unique technological laboratory. The Dakar Future program was also launched in 2021 to accelerate the adoption of alternative energies. Dacia, with its Sandrider powered 100% by synthetic fuel, and Ford M-Sport, using biofuels, exemplify this momentum. Mini X-Raid and Toyota Gazoo Racing are also adopting these solutions, reducing carbon emissions by up to 70%. The goal: to mainstream these practices among all participants within a few years.

Hybrid vehicles have also demonstrated their competitiveness against top teams, paving the way for initiatives such as the Mission 1000 project. This challenges participants to cover 1,000 km with innovative engines, testing their reliability and autonomy under extreme conditions.

Follow the Dakar with special correspondents from AUTOhebdo. Videos can be found in the video section, as well as on the Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

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