Hydrogen Combustion Technologies Added To Alternatives For Future Le Mans Regs

A short announcement from the ACO President Pierre Fillon and FIA Endurance Commission President Richard Mille has confirmed that the future regulations for hydrogen-fuelled vehicles at the 24 Hours of Le Mans will now encompass Hydrogen combustion technologies as properly as retaining the alternative for Hydrogen Fuel Cell tech.

The ACO have been at the forefront of a drive to introduce Hydrogen as a fuel supply in the sport due to the fact 2018 and, due to the fact then, there have been progressive actions in improvement with each other with their technologies partners on demonstration projects, while continuing dialogue with interested suppliers.

No particulars are however provided on interest from suppliers but current media reports in France look to confirm that the re-current interest from Hyundai in fielding a fuel-cell powered auto in the coming years is nevertheless alive while sources close to Toyota have recommended to DSC that their existing technologies demonstrator racer utilising Hydrogen combustion marks the early stages of building that route towards extra capable race (and road going) machinery.

At present the line from the ACO is that they are, “in close collaboration with the FIA, functioning towards the creation of a class for Hydrogen-powered prototypes at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the subsequent handful of years.”

Their is continued improvement also on MissionH24, a joint venture amongst the ACO and GreenGT, conducting study and improvement in locations such as security, efficiency and refuelling.

Pierre Fillon, President of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest: Due to the fact 2018, the hydrogen ecosystem has evolved enormously. We are studying by carrying out. We are exploring possibilities. And that is specifically the objective we set ourselves 5 years ago when we launched MissionH24. The fuel cell was initially selected for its possible, which is nevertheless relevant. Nowadays, the hydrogen internal combustion engine is also presented as a possibility for suppliers. The 24 Hours of Le Mans regulations have normally advocated freedom and wide variety. As such, we are officially announcing that each technologies, fuel cell and hydrogen internal combustion engine, will be accepted and authorised for suppliers wishing to enter the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the Hydrogen category. I would like to highlight the tremendous operate carried out by MissionH24, alongside the ACO and FIA. We are all conscious of the challenges facing the future of motorsport, and of the require to decarbonise mobility, and we are addressing them with each other.

Richard Mille, FIA Endurance Commission President: Hydrogen as a energy supply is however to be completely explored in motor sport. Nonetheless, provided the reality that it gives a wide variety of choices in terms of storage sorts and powertrains, it tends to make for a quite exciting prospect. Implementing sustainable energy sources across motorsport competitors is 1 of the essential targets of the FIA and component of our extended-term roadmap. The essential is to address the very best options for unique motorsport disciplines. Offered the nature of endurance racing, hydrogen is 1 of the most appropriate choices, hence the FIA completely supports the ACO’s MissionH24 project. We are functioning with them, sharing our know-how and experience, to introduce a new energy supply to endurance racing.