A truck’s performance goes beyond specs; it’s about the real-world work it can handle. That’s exactly what Shell aims to showcase with its Starship 3.0. Thomas Mueller, Shell’s General Manager of Commercial Road Transport, highlighted the company’s mission to test its innovations in real scenarios during an event at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Shell Starship 3.0 Driving Change in IndyCar
Building on the collaboration between Shell and IndyCar, the Shell Starship 3.0 will serve as the official transporter for the Pennzoil Tech Inspection trailer throughout the 2025 NTT IndyCar Series. “The truck’s not going to be on the track, but it’s going to do the job from track to track,” said Mueller.
Powered by the Cummins X15N natural gas engine and Shell Rotella natural gas engine oil, Starship 3.0 is the first natural gas-powered Class 8 truck in North America’s motorsports fleets. Its innovative features include a lightweight, aerodynamic carbon fiber body, a camera-based mirror system, and an optimized lightweight chassis.
Since 2023, Shell has also supplied 100% renewable racing fuel to the IndyCar series, demonstrating its commitment to sustainability within motorsports.
Validating Energy-Efficient Trucking
Mike Roeth, Executive Director of the North American Council for Freight Efficiency, called the Starship 3.0 “probably the most efficient, best natural gas, Class 8 truck in America.” The truck achieved fuel efficiency of approximately 9 mpg Diesel Gallon Equivalent (DGE) with a range of 890 miles during West Coast runs with renewable natural gas.
“Proving runs like this are vital to growing natural gas infrastructure,” added Mueller.
AI-Powered Sustainability Insights
To further its sustainability goals, Shell is rolling out an AI-driven emissions management platform developed with NTT Data. The tool provides real-time tracking and analysis of race operations and logistics emissions.
Kunal Koul of NTT underscored the platform’s potential, explaining how it shifts from using estimated data to real, actionable insights. “This system not only enables emissions tracking but also equips teams to make more data-driven decisions through intuitive dashboards and reports,” he said.
A United Drive Toward Sustainability
J. Douglas Boles, President of IndyCar and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, emphasized that sustainability initiatives shouldn’t compromise racing performance. By integrating cutting-edge technologies like Starship 3.0, Boles sees an opportunity to pair environmental responsibility with innovation.
Josef Newgarden, Team Penske driver and two-time IndyCar champion added, “In racing, you’re always pushing the limits of speed. We’re trying to put things on the absolute edge, but we’re trying to do it as efficiently as possible.”
Shell’s latest advancements underscore the company’s dedication to driving sustainable innovations in logistics and motorsports. With collective efforts from manufacturers, customers, and governments, the future of green freight networks and motorsports looks increasingly promising.
Source: Commercial Carrier Journal
Image Source: Commercial Carrier Journal/ Pamella De Leon
