Codemasters today announced production of FUEL, a new racing game for PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 scheduled to ship during 2009.

In development at France-based Asobo Studios, FUEL is set in an "alternate present" where the earth has been decimated by the effects of climate change. With oil sparse and expensive, people take to the wastelands and use their "grungy home-tuned vehicles" in competitions to win fuel.

Codemasters promises "the largest environment ever created in race gaming", a seamless "no-boundaries playfield" covering over 5,000 square miles. You'll be able to traverse this gameworld, made up of various mountain, forest and desert environments, using a variety of two- and four-wheel vehicles.

The game will ship with singleplayer and multiplayer modes.

Click through for an introduction video