Hydrogen: for racing

The development of hydrogen-powered cars could be a historic turning point for motorsports and transport industry. Why is hydrogen a relevant fuel choice? And how is it moving into the world of racing? Spotlight on a responsible energy that could revolutionise the discipline...

As explained by the French renewables agency IFPEN, “1 kg of hydrogen releases roughly three times more energy than 1 kg of gasoline”. In addition, a hydrogen vehicle’s emissions are made up of just water, with zero CO₂ emissions.

Convinced about hydrogen’s potential for motorsports, the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) and H24 Project created the MissionH24 program with the aim to encourage automobile manufacturers to enter hydrogen-powered cars for the 24 Hours of Le Mans event in the near future.

Following on from many other technologies that have been launched and tested at Le Mans in the past, this operation aims to accelerate the development of this new energy.

Working towards this goal planned to be met in 2030, 22 September 2018 saw a historic step forward: MissionH24 gave a demonstration of the first hydrogen-powered racing car, the LMPH2G, on the Spa Francorchamps track in Belgium. One year later, a more advanced version of this prototype, developed by the H24 Racing team, took part in the free practice sessions at the Michelin Le Mans Cup, immersed among the various competitors in this class. Before being able to take to the track, the LMPH2G, driven by Olivier Lombard and Norman Nato, successfully passed a number of tests, crash tests and assessments to achieve FIA safety accreditation, which is essential to be able to compete.

Today, the H24 and then tomorrow, ...

“Today, we are driving progress as pioneers to some extent to introduce a new energy to the racing world, while also helping develop processes for the future”, confirms Bernard Niclot, the ACO’s hydrogen project director. “Being able to count on a partner like TotalEnergies for the refuelling section, with a mobile station, is also a very important factor for success”

After a first phase of bench tests, the H24 embarked on a major cycle of private tests at several circuits since 2021. It has also completed demonstration laps on the 24 Hours of Le Mans circuit as a curtain-raiser to the greatest Endurance race in the world.

… the H24 EVO

Unveiled at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2024, the H24 EVO marks a new stage in the MissionH24 project. This new prototype, with its bold, futuristic design, will operate using liquid hydrogen (LH2) stored in special tanks.

Update in March 2025