And so the project became a reality. The Dakar Future plan was developed after several years of thinking and discussion, to reach agreement with all the parties concerned on a timetable extending to 2030.
- In the car category, a significant step was made on the Dakar 2022, when vehicles powered by alternative energy managed to compete at the highest level, with four stages won by three different drivers. With their hybrid engines, the Audi RS Q e-trons led the way for other constructors and private teams.
- With the same determination to limit carbon emissions, several teams opted for biofuels in 2022, starting with the BRX team, which won nine stages thanks to Sébastien Loeb and Guerlain Chicherit, whilst reducing its vehicles’ carbon footprint by 40 %. The Astara team’s cars, but also the X-Raid team’s Minis have also joined this same path since the last edition and the movement is growing.
- On an experimental basis, even more ambitious engine technologies will find their place from the Dakar 2024 onwards as part of the “Mission 1000” project
- 2025: Increase in T1-U prototypes, particularly including vehicles that are “Mission 1000” approved. Generalisation in the use of biofuels for cars and trucks.
- In 2026, all the elite competitors in the car and truck categories must drive vehicles that meet the new standard of very low emissions.
- In 2030, the car and truck categories will exclusively be made up of vehicles powered by low-emission fuel.