MissionH24 Evo hydrogen racing car concept debuts at Le Mans.

Organizers of the 24 Hours of Le Mans will use this weekend's race as a backdrop to preview the future possibilities of carbon-free racing.

The ACO will set up what it calls a "hydrogen village" at Le Mans' Circuit de la Sarthe, where a number of organizations will showcase concepts for hydrogen-fueled racing cars. This is the day that the ACO aims to establish a Le Mans class for cars running on hydrogen.

One of the concepts is MissionH24's Evo hydrogen-electric racing car, an organization that promotes the use of hydrogen in motorsports and is supported by several partners, including French fuel giant TotalEnergies.

Hydrogen-electric vehicles are essentially EVs that use hydrogen fuel cells instead of batteries to power their electric drive systems. Fuel cells combine hydrogen with oxygen from the air in a nearly emission-free process to produce electricity. This technology is used in vehicles such as the Toyota Mirai, and ACO is trying to prove that it can also be used for racing.

Mission H24 has one 872 hp electric motor for the Evo Concept. This drives the rear wheels. Two hydrogen tanks at the rear of the vehicle feed a mid-mounted fuel cell. The electricity generated is charged into lithium-ion batteries, which supply extra electricity to the motor during heavy loads.

Assembly and circuit testing of the Evo's powertrain will begin in October, so it is still early days. The first circuit tests are scheduled for early 2025. The concept is being developed with a target weight of 1,300 kg (2,866 lbs.) and a top speed of 199 mph.

The ACO is also studying the use of internal combustion engines powered by hydrogen. When burning hydrogen, the engine emits zero carbon. However, it does emit harmful nitrogen oxides, which must be treated using urea-based selective catalytic reduction, as in modern diesel engines. Alpine and Toyota, both currently competing in Le Mans, will showcase their hydrogen-powered Alpenglow Hy4 and GR H2 racing concepts at the Hydrogen Village, and Bosch will also present a hydrogen-powered Ligier racing car