The ACO turns to hydrogen with its H24 Mission

After having brought to the forefront a number of future technologies, such as hybridization in recent years, theAutomobile Club de l'Ouest seems to be banking on a whole new horizon: hydrogen.

The organizers of the WEC and the double clock tour of Sarthois, launched their “Mission H24” this Saturday, with the announced goal of the presence of hydrogen racing cars, and therefore without polluting emissions, at the start of the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2024.

This project to use such cars should make it possible to accelerate development and research in this field, with the always underlying objective of transferring technological advances to potential road models.

“The choice of Hydrogen is part of a mission of public utility, a planetary challenge, to fight against the major problems of our time, in particular air pollution, in cities, to also find new sources of energy than traditional hydrocarbons. » thus specifies the ACO.

GreenGT at the head of the bridge

To support its ideas, the ACO will use the work of GreenGT Technologies, a company managed by Jean-Michel Bouresche, founder of JMB Racing, who was able to carry out a first demonstration with a GreenGT LM PH2G, based on an LM P3 and driven by Yannick Dalmas, today in Belgium, on the sidelines of the 4 Hours of Spa.

The GreenGT LM PH2G, still in the experimental phase, will also be the first car in the race tomorrow, Sunday. 

Welcome to the future!  # MissionH24 pic.twitter.com/4zd4zdT9V7

— Mission H24 (@MissionH24) September 22, 2018

The GreenGT develops 480 kW (or approximately 653 hp) via a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell and four electric motors. A braking energy recovery system completes the system.

The GreenGT, however, does not have a gearbox, clutch or mechanical differential. A pit stop was also made by the GreenGT teams to fill the tanks which can contain 8,6 kg of hydrogen.

And first pit stop for # MissionH24! pic.twitter.com/wS38zlJFxg

— Mission H24 (@MissionH24) September 22, 2018

“This H24 Mission demonstrates our commitment, our convictions, comments Pierre Fillon, president of the ACO. Last June, during the 86th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, we announced the desire to create a Hydrogen category for Le Mans 2024.

Today, good intentions are coming to fruition. We believe in hydrogen, as we believed in hybrid, and in the implementation of controlled energy allocation. Today, hybrid cars are present on all roads.

The 24 Hours have always been a constant engine of research, whether in terms of safety, performance, reduction of consumption or respect for the environment.

The ACO, which has always been in contact with manufacturers and many players in the automotive sector, carries with this H24 Mission a commitment to the mobility of tomorrow. With the assistance of Green GT, we are taking on this new challenge and will meet with you regularly, for different stages, before reaching our goal in 2024."

“Participating in Mission H24 with the ACO is obvious for Green GT, admits Jean-Michel Bouresche for his part. For several years, not only have we believed in hydrogen, but above all we have developed recognized experience and skills in this area.

Accelerating the research process, through competition, represents a challenge that we take on with enthusiasm and realism. » 

The public authorities seem to be very interested in the project, then the European Commission was represented by Director General Mobility and Transport Henrik Hololei.

Discover more information on the ACO’s H24 Mission, in issue 2184 of AUTOhebdo, available from this Monday evening in digital version and from next Wednesday on newsstands.