June 15 was a milestone for the H24, the first electric hydrogen racing car in the MissionH24 program run by the Automobile Club de l’Ouest and H24Project. The H24 opened an unprecedented hydrogen parade, before welcoming the official visit of starter Zinédine Zidane to the starting grid for a legendary photo, and completing its final lap of honor at the Le Mans 24 Hours.

A historic day for hydrogen at Le Mans on June 15. Shortly after 9 a.m., the tuk tuk H2 from start-up Systemics completed a range test on the Alain Prost karting circuit. This particular vehicle completed 24 hours of driving, using 2 kilograms of hydrogen and covering a total of over 700 km.

Shortly after midday, an unprecedented demonstration took place on the main circuit of the 24 Heures du Mans, with 4 hydrogen prototypes: the H24 from MissionH24, the Ligier Bosch JS2 RH2, the Foenix from Solution F, a subsidiary of GCK, and the Alpenglow Hy4 from Alpine. The latter carried a special passenger, Zinédine Zidane.

The parade demonstrated the concrete deployment of hydrogen in endurance racing. All these cars are now on display in the Village Hydrogène.

Finally, a few minutes before the start of the 92nd edition of the Manche classic, the H24, with Stéphane Richelmi at the wheel, completed a lap of honor, equipped with the latest evolution of Michelin 71% tires (these tires are made from 71% sustainable materials). This lap of honor was like a bow to the world.

 

Credit: Alexis Goure