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 automobiles at the 24 Hours of Le Mans will now encompass Hydrogen combustion technologies as effectively 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 considering that 2018 and, considering that then, there have been progressive methods in improvement with each other with their technologies partners on demonstration projects, while continuing dialogue with interested producers.
No specifics are however provided on interest from producers but current media reports in France look to confirm that the re-current interest from Hyundai in fielding a fuel-cell powered car or truck in the coming years is nonetheless alive while sources close to Toyota have recommended to DSC that their existing technologies demonstrator racer utilising Hydrogen combustion marks the early stages of establishing that route towards much more capable race (and road going) machinery.
At present the line from the ACO is that they are, “in close collaboration with the FIA, operating towards the creation of a class for Hydrogen-powered prototypes at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the subsequent couple of years.”
Their is continued improvement also on MissionH24, a joint venture involving the ACO and GreenGT, conducting analysis and improvement in locations such as security, efficiency and refuelling.
Pierre Fillon, President of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest: Because 2018, the hydrogen ecosystem has evolved enormously. We are studying by undertaking. We are exploring possibilities. And that is precisely the objective we set ourselves 5 years ago when we launched MissionH24. The fuel cell was initially selected for its prospective, which is nonetheless relevant. These days, the hydrogen internal combustion engine is also presented as a possibility for producers. The 24 Hours of Le Mans regulations have generally advocated freedom and selection. As such, we are officially announcing that each technologies, fuel cell and hydrogen internal combustion engine, will be accepted and authorised for producers wishing to enter the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the Hydrogen category. I would like to highlight the tremendous perform carried out by MissionH24, alongside the ACO and FIA. We are all conscious of the challenges facing the future of motorsport, and of the want 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 totally explored in motor sport. On the other hand, provided the truth that it provides a selection of solutions in terms of storage sorts and powertrains, it tends to make for a really fascinating prospect. Implementing sustainable energy sources across motorsport competitors is 1 of the important targets of the FIA and portion of our extended-term roadmap. The important is to address the ideal options for unique motorsport disciplines. Offered the nature of endurance racing, hydrogen is 1 of the most appropriate solutions, consequently the FIA totally supports the ACO’s MissionH24 project. We are operating with them, sharing our know-how and knowledge, to introduce a new energy supply to endurance racing.