12-16 June 2024
The highly anticipated week at Le Mans has concluded, delivering an intense and exhilarating edition of the 24-hour race that kept spectators on the edge of their seats until the very end. Despite the challenging weather conditions, fans were thrilled by the on-track action. Within the Hydrogen Village, visitors had the opportunity to explore the future of endurance racing: hydrogen technology. This groundbreaking advancement in motorsport is already becoming a reality.
The 2024 Le Mans 24 Hours marked a significant milestone for hydrogen technology, driven by the Automobile Club de l’Ouest in collaboration with H24Project to decarbonize motor racing and mobility. A dedicated H2 paddock was set up in the village, featuring TotalEnergies’ mobile hydrogen station as a central hub.
For the first time, hydrogen prototypes were refueled in public.
Vehicles such as the H24 from MissionH24, the Alpenglow Hy4 from Alpine, the Ligier Bosch JS2 RH2, and the Foenix from GCK subsidiary Solution F took to the legendary Sarthe circuit. Over the 13-kilometer track, the Zero CO2 Emission competition showcased these innovative vehicles to the audience. A notable highlight was the participation of football legend Zinédine Zidane, who joined the demonstration with Alpine in the Alpenglow Hy4. Zidane, visibly enthusiastic, also posed with the H24 on the grid just minutes before the race commenced.
The Hydrogen Village hosted more than 20 exhibitors, sharing their research and expertise on hydrogen technology with the public.
Organizations such as ENSOSP, SDIS72, Ariane Group, Symbio, and OPmobility surrounded the new H24EVO. The University of Le Mans, France Hydrogène, Maison de l’Europe, and Technifutur were present to demonstrate hydrogen’s potential, along with Discoverhy, the first hydrogen-powered racing car for children, and Horizon Educational. Toyota also showcased its hydrogen strategy, emphasizing its commitment to this transformative technology.
The European project Advanced H2 Valley had a dedicated booth within the Hydrogen Village, where visitors could learn about the benefits of hydrogen mobility up close.
Through thematic games, it was possible to understand the principle of electrolysis, and a car powered by the energy of three connected bicycles offered a fun and educational experience for both children and adults.
In addition to the Automobile Club de l’Ouest, Warrant Hub S.p.a. and the Project Coordinator, Olivier Job, were present, contributing to the event’s great success
