Today, the H24, the electric hydrogen prototype from the MissionH24 programme, paraded one of the most prestigious sports trophies in the world, the Ballon d’Or, through the streets of Paris in the run-up to the international footballers’ annual prize-giving ceremony.
MissionH24 played a starring role in the Ballon d’Or celebrations on 30 October, as the H24 completed the final stretch of the trophies’ journey through the streets of Paris to the red carpet outside the Théâtre du Châtelet, the venue for the prestigious football award honouring the best male and female footballers of the season.
An activation imagined in collaboration with Amaury Media and France Football and broadcast on the L’Equipe channel.
The H24, the first electric hydrogen racing prototype, was driven by Stéphane Richelmi, who delivered the trophies to the hosts of the gala event. This was a remarkable – and most importantly – sustainable choice of transport, since the H24 is powered by a hydrogen fuel cell and emits nothing but water from its exhaust. In the course of its short Parisian trip, it emitted 0.4 litres of pure water.
Mission H24’s vocation is to create a class for hydrogen-powered cars at the 2026 24 Hours of Le Mans to achieve zero-emission racing and mobility.
Stéphane Richelmi, H24 driver at the wheel with the Ballon d’Or on 30 October 2023:
“I have to admit that of all the passengers I’ve taken on board my electric hydrogen prototype, these two Ballons d’Or trophies were the most surprising and perhaps the most spectacular. A few minor adjustments and maximum concentration were required to drive through the streets of Paris at this pace. As we pulled up at the venue, the H24 drew admiring glances from the world’s leading male and female footballers and no doubt piqued the curiosity of the hundreds of millions of TV viewers waiting to hear the names of the 2023 winners. It was a privilege to have been entrusted with the sustainable, zero-emission delivery of these two coveted awards!”
Pierre Fillon, President of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest and co-president of MissionH24:
“Tonight’s operation saw the H24 hydrogen electric prototype transport the Ballon d’Or through the streets of Paris and shows how different sports can work together to help bring about the energy transition. All sports have a role to play in the quest for zero emissions and sharing experiences can only be a good thing. I’m particularly proud of tonight’s event and the sustainable initiatives we’ve undertaken.”