24h Le Mans
Hydrogen mobility will be on everyone’s lips this week – on the iconic Le Mans racetrack and in the popular Race Village, set to welcome back a throng of spectators this year, and in the city’s exhibition centre. The Automobile Club de l’Ouest is exploring some very tangible applications as part of its hydrogen strategy aimed at achieving sustainable, carbon-free racing and motoring, and succeeding the energy transition. This week, for example, you can see hydrogen on the track with MissionH24, hear it being debated at the Le Mans H2 Symposium, learn more about the technology at the special ACO H2 Zero-Emissions venue, listen to the European Commission Representation in France talk about energy, and hear all about Victorien Erussard’s experience with his hydrogen-powered boat.
H stands for Hypercar, the top class at the 2022 24 Hours of Le Mans, but H also means Hydrogen, the key issue for the Automobile Club de l’Ouest, which is heavily involved in the roll-out of this technology.
Hydrogen will be making headlines every day from 7 to 12 June, with news stories from the track, and activities for innovation watchers and younger race goers.
This Tuesday will see the opening of the ACO H2 Zero-Emissions venue, focused on racing and hydrogen mobility. Located in the heart of the Race Village, this complex is easy to spot with its two giant bubbles. Inside, you will find an array of fun and informative content, presentations on our partners and their areas of expertise, and the LMPH2G, the first hydrogen-electric test car developed by MissionH24. A number of schools will come along to visit the exhibitions and explore hydrogen technology. Open Tuesday to Sunday (Wednesday, Thursday, 11 am to midnight, Friday 10 am to 8 pm, Saturday 10 am to midnight and Sunday 10 am to 4 pm).
On Wednesday, the ACO will take part in the H2 Symposium staged by Le Mans city council, with whom the ACO works on a series of hydrogen projects, such as the refuelling station installed at the aerodrome to supply one of the city’s bus lines. There will be several round-table sessions at the symposium, including one devoted to motorsport and the progress that can be achieved through racing.
For the first time at Le Mans, a hydrogen-electric prototype will officially compete on the iconic 13.626-km circuit. H24, which recently made its race début at Imola, will be put through its paces in Wednesday's Road To Le Mans free practice sessions ahead of the two races on Thursday and Saturday. The prototype will refuel in the 24 Hours pit lane at the mobile hydrogen station designed by TotalEnergies.
Wednesday will be a busy day all round, because the European Commission Representation in France will also be present to set out its action plan for Europe’s energy sovereignty and energy union in a presentation in the ACO H2 Zero-Emissions venue.
On Thursday, H24 will take to the starting grid for its first ever race at Le Mans, in the first round of Road To Le Mans. As an “Innovative car” entry, it will be harvesting quantities of precious data as it runs alongside the conventional ICE-powered racers.
On Friday, Victorien Erussard, captain of Energy Observer, will be in Le Mans and sharing his experience of hydrogen mobility at sea with Bernard Niclot, head of innovation at MissionH24. Join them at 15:15 at the ACO H2 Zero-Emission complex.
Finally, at 15:42 on Saturday, after its outing in the morning’s Road To Le Mans round, the H24 will line up in front of the 62 competitors for a lap of honour before the start of the 2022 24 Hours of Le Mans with the Hypercars and their drivers no doubt occupying the front row.
