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SSAB is a partner as rallycross takes the fast track to a fossil-free future
August 10, 2022 9:25 CEST 6 min read
This year sees the world’s first electrified rallycross world championships. SSAB is a proud partner of the newly-formed Construction Equipment Dealer Team, with drivers Klara Andersson and Niclas Grönholm.
Rallycross is all about speed. Cars can go from 0–100 km/h in 1.8 seconds. But this year, some races will be quieter than ever. Because this is the first time that the FIA World Rallycross Championship features electric cars too, which also marks the start of a new era in sustainable racing.
“We’re delighted about this collaboration. Together, we can develop products that enable a fossil-free future for motor sport,” says Matts Nilsson, Sales Manager at SSAB in Sweden and Norway.
The FIA World Rallycross Championship RX1e kicks off on August 13–14 in Hell, Norway, where SSAB will have a presence. There will then be qualifying rounds in Latvia, Portugal, Belgium and Spain in September and October. The venue for the last race will be Germany’s classic Nürburgring on November 12–13.
The races take place in stadiums with short tracks consisting of asphalt and gravel. SSAB’s partner Volvo Construction Equipment is the supplier of the electrical construction machines that are being used to prepare and build the race tracks.
“For us at SSAB, this is the perfect opportunity to be involved in developing fossil-free motor sport. The simple fact that cars can now be driven without fossil fuels is a great success from a sustainability perspective, and this is in line with our work to make the transition to totally fossil-free steel production,” says Matts Nilsson.
SSAB aims to offer fossil-free steel at an industrial scale as early as 2026, and the goal is to largely eliminate the company’s own carbon dioxide emissions by around 2030. Together with partners and customers, SSAB aims to create a fossil-free value chain, from mine to end product. Initiatives to create more sustainable products are increasing around the world. Rallycross is one example of an area where different companies are working together to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
“It’s exciting to look at the whole value chain and see how we can combine different competences to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Together, we can test and develop our products to create a fossil-free future,” concludes Matts Nilsson.
Electric FIA World Rallycross Championship (RX1e):
- Norway, Hell Aug 13-14
- Latvia, Riga Sep 3-4
- Portugal, Montalegre Sep 17-18
- Belgium, Spa Francorchamps Oct 8-9
- Spain, Barcelona Oct 29-30
- Germany, Nürburgring Nov 12-13