Mazda is yet another automaker exploring the use of synthetic carbon-neutral fuel. It is racing in this year's ENEOS Super Taikyu Series, and the company takes a new step in evaluating the fuel with the introduction of the Mazda CNF Concept that begins competing soon.

The Mazda MX-5 Miata features the brand's naturally aspirated Skyactiv-G 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. It'll compete in the recently launched ST-Q class for special racing vehicles developed by manufacturers. Toyota is participating in it with the GR86 CNF concept that packs a smaller turbocharged 1.4-liter three-cylinder engine, competing alongside the Subaru BRZ with a 2.4-liter flat-four power plant.

Racing has been one industry segment open to exploring alternative fuel technologies. Dacia will go racing in the 2025 Dakar Rally using synthetic fuel, and even Formula 1 will begin using the stuff in a few years, which former F1 World Champion Sebastian Vettel is showcasing now that he's retired.

Synthetic fuel has been a popular topic for automakers as of late, even as they continue to invest in battery-electric vehicles. The journey to carbon neutrality might require several avenues to succeed, and drop-in replacement fuels could be one solution. It's certainly something many automakers are exploring.

Late last year, Porsche began developing e-fuel at its plant in Chile, but it'll be years before it can produce even a fraction of the amount of gas the world uses in a day. While Toyota is exploring the use of carbon-neutral fuel, its CEO does have reservations about the technology's viability as it requires a lot of energy to create, which could be a significant hurdle to its mainstream adoption. Volkswagen brand's head honcho called the stuff "unnecessary noise." 

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