Le Mans Announces H24 Hydrogen and Electric Racer Mission

The automotive world is not just trying to limit carbon dioxide emissions by production cars. The company is also trying to reduce emissions on race tracks.

Formula 1 has already announced plans to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 2026 by switching to carbon-neutral synthetic fuels, commonly referred to as efuels.

ACO, the organizing group of the 24 Hours of Le Mans race, also wants to eliminate CO2 emissions. ACO is considering hydrogen, an alternative approach that it hopes to implement by 2026.

Earlier this month, ACO unveiled the concept of a hydrogen electric car racing prototype developed in partnership with H24Project, an industry-backed consortium that includes French fuel giant Total Energies. The concept, known as Missionh24, was developed with a target weight of 1,300 kg (about 2,866 lbs) and a top speed of 199 mph.

Hydrogen electric vehicles are, in fact, electric vehicles that use hydrogen fuel cells instead of batteries to power electric drive systems. Fuel cells combine hydrogen with oxygen from the air in a virtually emission-free process that generates electricity. This technology was noticed for use in the trucking industry, but the ACO decided to show that it can be used in racing.

On the Missionh24, a single 871 horsepower engine drives the rear wheels. A pair of hydrogen tanks in the rear of the car power the fuel cells installed in the middle. The electricity generated powers the engine, but also charges a small lithium-ion battery that weighs less than 180 pounds and provides additional electricity for the engine under high load conditions.

We are still in the early stages of the process, as the assembly of the Missionh24 power plant and orbital tests are scheduled to begin on May 10 next year. It is expected that work on the first completed prototype will continue in early 2025.

ACO is also exploring the use of hydrogen-powered internal combustion engines. When hydrogen is burned, CO2 emissions in the engine are reduced to zero. However, they emit harmful nitrogen oxides and need to be treated using selective catalytic reduction based on urea, as in modern diesel engines.

Toyota, the leading candidate for participation in Le Mans, has developed the concept of a unique sports prototype of a hydrogen-powered racing car.

Alpine, which also races at Le Mans, last year unveiled its own hydrogen-powered concept car, and Porsche, Le Mans' most successful automaker, confirmed that it is developing a hydrogen engine.