The ACO and MissionH24 at the European Hydrogen Week
In Brussels, at the exhibition center, from November 18 to 22, the Automobile Club de l'Ouest and MissionH24, a program in collaboration with H24Project, are participating in this annual benchmark event "European Hydrogen Week", which has become a meeting place essential for European and international players.
Organized by Hydrogen Europe, Hydrogen Europe Research, the European Commission and Clean Hydrogen Partnership, European Hydrogen Week is celebrating its fifth edition in 2024. It is clear that both the format and the participants have multiplied and diversified in parallel with the deployment of hydrogen, a crucial energy vector for the energy transition and for industrial decarbonization.
During these five days, from November 18 to 22, hydrogen players are gathered to present, exchange, debate, build... Industrialists, companies, institutions, elected officials, regions, territories, among other participants, are among the speakers, exhibitors, and visitors to the various sites. We will note the presence of India and Japan, two countries involved in the decarbonization of mobility and industry.
Hall 7 and Hall 11 of the Parc des Expos in Brussels will host the European Hydrogen Week. The ACO and MissionH24 will host a stand in Hall 7, area M20. The H24EVO showcar will allow visitors to see the developments in hydrogen in competition, the solutions chosen by partners to design a prototype dedicated to pure performance in Endurance.
Motor racing and Endurance once again demonstrate the formidable research laboratory that is racing, particularly the 24 Hours of Le Mans. By 2028, a category dedicated to hydrogen prototypes should be included in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the FIA World Endurance Championship.
BrightLoop, technical partner of MissionH24
BrightLoop, a specialist in high-performance DC-DC converters with a decade's experience in motorsport, has joined the MissionH24 program. As a technical partner, BrightLoop shares the strategy of decarbonization, and more sustainable racing pursued by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest and H24Project.
The MissionH24 program, a collaboration between the Automobile Club de l'Ouest and H24Project to promote hydrogen in racing, has a new member, who is also a stakeholder in the brand-new H24EVO prototype.
BrightLoop, a leading supplier of advanced power conversion solutions, specializing in high-performance DC-DC converters for a variety of industries, will be equipping the H24EVO fuel cell prototype.
The company offers adaptable converters capable of managing all power flows, both AC and DC, positioning itself as a key partner for players in the energy transition.
The technology developed by BrightLoop enables intelligent management of power flows while offering unmatched compactness and power density, thereby optimizing space, energy efficiency, and control.
This specification corresponds in every respect to the expectations of the operating team of the future H24EVO.
Prior to its involvement in hydrogen racing, BrightLoop gained experience in the unusual world of motor racing, offering DC-DC converters of unique size (power density) and modularity to teams competing in Formula E, IndyCar and Extreme E... Performance, reliability and innovation are necessary values shared by MissionH24 and BrightLoop.
This technical partnership will see members of BrightLoop integrated into MissionH24 for the first test sessions of the H24EVO.
The H24EVO at the European Heritage Days at the Le Mans Museum
Innovative news at the museum!
Among the 24 Hours pioneers on display at the museum, the H24EVO is presented for the first time. A hydrogen-electric prototype, unveiled in sketch form in October 2023, then revealed in a scale model last June, it will take to the track in 2025. This is MissionH24's 3rd prototype, a program launched in 2018 by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest and H24Project, aimed at promoting hydrogen in motor racing. This technology is helping to decarbonize racing and mobility more generally. By 2028, a new category reserved for hydrogen-powered prototypes will be created for the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the FIA World Endurance Championship. The public will have the opportunity to admire this exceptional prototype, embodying the future of endurance racing.
On display from the Museum entrance until September 22, it will be accompanied by a number of fun and educational activities:
- Building the H24EVO in paper miniature for children
- Hydrogen production
MissionH24 and its partners at the Multi-Pathway Event
MissionH24, the collaborative program between the Automobile Club de l'Ouest and H24Project for the deployment of hydrogen in competition, has been participating for several weeks with Toyota in a unique event of its kind, dedicated to the future of mobility for all. These players in the energy transition present different solutions for everyone's mobility in the future, an environmentally friendly future. Some partners of MissionH24 and the ACO have discovered this system, allowing numerous and rich discussions on these themes.
The H24EVO with Toyota for committed future mobility
MissionH24, the collaborative program between the Automobile Club de l'Ouest and H24Project for the deployment of hydrogen in competition, is participating with Toyota in a unique event of its kind, dedicated to the future of mobility for all. These players in the energy transition present different solutions for everyone's mobility in the future, an environmentally friendly future.
Toyota, a manufacturer involved in the FIA World Endurance Championship, is working on the energy transition necessary for the defence of the environment, sharing a common goal with MissionH24. Through motor racing, notably at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and during each round of the FIA World Endurance Championship, the manufacturer and organizer of Endurance races participate in the search for new, more virtuous technologies, in the automobile.
Hydrogen, a pillar of the ACO's strategy to decarbonize racing, is a theme that the Japanese manufacturer has been developing for several years. On the road, Toyota Mirai are already on the streets in France. On the competition side, in 2023, during the 24 Hours of Le Mans, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing presented the GR H2 Racing Concept, a hydrogen prototype which could join the Hydrogen category in Endurance, while the GR Corolla H2 Concept, regularly driven by Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda, concentrates the research on the use of liquid hydrogen.
For several weeks, on a particular system made up of several circuits, Toyota has been deploying numerous vehicles testifying to the work carried out for more responsible mobility. The H24EVO, MissionH24's latest production, is on display during this event in a space dedicated to hydrogen. Several brands will be present, proof of the joint work carried out by manufacturers and organizers for a virtuous sport.
MissionH24 and McLaren Applied, for a sustainable innovation
MissionH24 and McLaren Applied announced today, a partnership.
The H24EVO will use solutions developed by McLaren Applied. MissionH24's all-new zero-emission prototype, a collaborative program between the Automobile Club l'Ouest (ACO) and H24Project, will be equipped with McLaren Applied’s Vehicle Control Unit, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System as well as software. The first official tests of the H24EVO, scheduled for the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans, will demonstrate the potential of this joint effort. McLaren Applied's ATLAS GT logo will appear on the livery of the hydrogen electric prototype.
As pioneers of innovation in motorsport, MissionH24 and McLaren Applied are perfectly synergy. McLaren Applied will provide a range of solutions enabling MissionH24 engineers to optimize the performance of the H24EVO. MissionH24 will also benefit from world-renowned technical support.
The partnership between MissionH24 and McLaren Applied comes at the dawn of an exciting new era of sustainable innovation in motorsport. The framework has been defined: the introduction of hydrogen at the 24 Hours of Le Mans from 2028, for a competition with zero CO2 emissions. With the development of the H24EVO, the first hydrogen-powered car controlled by McLaren Applied solutions, MissionH24 and McLaren Applied are committed to pushing the limits of performance with carbon-free technologies.
VCU-500
The VCU-500 is McLaren Applied's latest-generation vehicle controller, designed specifically for electric racing applications and widely used in Formula E. The unit will function as the main vehicle controller on the H24EVO, providing powertrain and chassis control functionality, interfacing with all other electronic units on the car. The VCU-500 will make a wealth of data available, recording up to 2,000 parameters simultaneously. This capability will provide a comprehensive performance analysis, enabling teams to pursue their ideal strategy for optimizing vehicle performance.
The VCU-500 is supported by a complete software toolchain, including McLaren Control Toolbox (MCT), enabling MissionH24 engineers to develop customized control strategies using MATLAB Simulink and System Monitor to calibrate and configure the VCU-500. MissionH24 will also benefit from vTAG simulation tools, used to test code before deploying it on the H24EVO, and to run simulations on live and post-processed data.
ATLAS GT
McLaren Applied’s data analysis software, ATLAS is a powerful software package designed to obtain, distribute, display and analyze race car data. ATLAS GT is widely used in top-level motorsport, for live monitoring of vehicle performance, as well as for post-event data analysis and processing. MissionH24 engineers will use ATLAS GT to continuously monitor the performance of the H24EVO, in order to optimize powertrain and chassis performance.
Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
The H24EVO will use McLaren Applied's Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), which also equips the MotoGP. With first class accuracy, the system provides enriched information, additional data parameters such as air humidity, rim temperature and tire casing temperature. The system gives the MissionH24 team complete condition monitoring of the H24EVO tyre performance on the track.
Richard Saxby, Motorsport Director at McLaren Applied:
"We are proud to support this exciting project demonstrating the potential of hydrogen for endurance racing and at the 24 Hours of Le Mans."
Sam Guest, head of telemetry, control and analysis at McLaren Applied:
"Our VCU-500 analysis package, tire pressure system and ATLAS GT will provide MissionH24 with the latest control systems and analysis tools to optimize the performance of the H24EVO. We look forward to seeing the car on track and supporting our MissionH24 colleagues in achieving their exciting goals and demonstrating the future of hydrogen mobility in the most demanding of endurance races."
Pierre Fillon, President of the Automobile Club de l'Ouest and co-president of MissionH24:
"Our program dedicated to the deployment of hydrogen in Endurance racing requires partners determined to prove the performance and environmental value of this energy in motor racing. McLaren Applied joins this team of companies committed to our side since 2018, when MissionH24 was officially launched, and it's a source of great satisfaction. With H24EVO, we are entering a crucial new phase for hydrogen in racing."
Jean-Michel Bouresche, CEO of H24Project and co-president of MissionH24:
"We are very pleased to welcome McLaren Applied to the group of MissionH24 technical partners. We have a great technological challenge ahead of us, and McLaren Applied's expertise will be invaluable in helping us achieve our technical and sporting objectives."
About MissionH24
MissionH24, a collaboration between the Automobile Club de l'Ouest and H24Project, is involved in the creation of an H2 prototype class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and in FIA WEC. Launched in 2018 with the LMPH2G, a laboratory car, the program then developed the H24, the first H2 racing prototype to have evolved to this level of competition and finished all its races in 2022. With the H24EVO, a new era begins: pure performance!
About McLaren Applied
More than three decades in F1 and other world championships have given McLaren Applied seasoned expertise in electrification, connectivity, control and sensing in motorsport. This expertise is also applied to the automotive and transport sectors. Today, thi independent company headquartered in Woking, UK, and the expertise of its people, combined with its technology and agility, are paving the way for a more sustainable, intelligent and connected future. Find out more at https://www.mclarenapplied.com.
The Hydrogen at the 24 Hours of Le Mans
The big mancelle week has just come to a close, with an intense and breathtaking edition right up to the final laps. Despite the tricky weather, spectators enjoyed the show on track. In the Hydrogen Village, they were able to familiarize themselves with the future of endurance racing: hydrogen. This technology, unprecedented in motorsport, is already a reality.
The 2024 edition of the Le Mans 24 Hours was a landmark for hydrogen, a strategy pursued by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest in collaboration with H24Project to decarbonize motor racing and mobility in general. In the village dedicated to this technology, a veritable H2 paddock was created, with TotalEnergies' mobile H2 station at its heart.
For the first time, H2 prototypes were refuelled in public.
The H24 from MissionH24, the Alpenglow Hy4 from Alpine, the Ligier Bosch JS2 RH2 and the Foenix from GCK subsidiary Solution F were all able to take to the legendary Sarthe circuit. Over a distance of more than 13 kilometers, the Zero CO2 Emission competition presented itself to the audience. A special passenger Zinédine Zidane took part in this demonstration with Alpine, in the Alpenglow Hy4. Enthusiastically, the "golden ball" also posed in front of the H24, on the grid, a few minutes before the start.
In the Hydrogen Village, more than 20 exhibitors shared their research and knowledge on the subject with the public.
ENSOSP, SDIS72, Ariane Group, Symbio, OPmobility surrounded the new H24EVO. The University of Le Mans, France Hydrogène, Maison de l'Europe and Technifutur were all on hand to demonstrate the potential of hydrogen, as were Discoverhy, the first H2 racing car for children, and Horizon Educational. Toyota developed its hydrogen strategy. There's nothing like a film to make you realize...
H24 leads the way for the Hydrogen Parade
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.
The H24EVO is revealed at the Hydrogen Village!
There was some excitement this June 12 in the Hydrogen Village. Officially inaugurated by Pierre Fillon, president of the Automobile Club de l'Ouest, it was the setting for the reveal of the all-new H24EVO. Presented a few months ago in the form of drawings, the future hydrogen electric prototype of MissionH24, a collaborative program between the ACO and H24Project, was revealed this time on scale 1.
If the drawings had been promising, the revealed model testifies to the audacity of MissionH24.
"Our goal is to have the first hydrogen racing car approved by the FIA and with performances similar to the best GT3'' announces Jean-Michel Bouresche, co-president of MissionH24.
The public can now observe this H24 at the Hydrogène village which counts an H2 paddock, a mobile H2 station and numerous fun and educational activities.
The H24EVO is unveiled!
Le Mans, June 12th 2024
Presented in sketch form last October in Boulogne Billancourt, on the premises of the Amaury group, the H24EVO is now on display in the Hydrogen Village at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Pierre Fillon and Jean-Michel Bouresche, co-presidents of MissionH24 and partners in the program, today revealed the model of the brand-new electric hydrogen prototype.
In October, the drawings of the H24EVO had been noticed. “Futuristic”, “spectacular”, “new era” - these were the reactions provoked when the first sketches of the MissionH24 program's brand-new hydrogen electric prototype were unveiled at a conference organized at the Amaury group's premises in Boulogne-Billancourt.
On June 12, in Le Mans' Village Hydrogène, expectations were high: would the scale 1 version match the boldness of the model presentation?
When Pierre Fillon, Jean-Michel Bouresche, the drivers, Stéphane Richelmi, Adrien Tambay, and technical director Bassel Aslan discovered the prototype protected from prying eyes by a dark cover, the audience automatically approached the illuminated space reserved for this pioneering racing car.
The lines are revolutionary and sleek. Built for pure performance, for zero-emission hydrogen-powered competition, the H24EVO made an impact.
Well supported by its partners, TotalEnergies, Symbio, Michelin, OPmobility, Dietsmann and Richard Mille, the H24EVO is made up of components designed for performance and competition. Fuel cell and even Symbio fuel cell system, OPmobility tanks, engine, Michelin tires adapted to the hydrogen technology: everything has been optimized and designed to perform with the H24EVO, powered by hydrogen from the TotalEnergies mobile H2 station.
On both the H24 and the LMPH2G, the key components were available in more conventional versions.
The next major milestone for the H24EVO is its maiden run in 2025, during the first quarter of the year.
Pierre Fillon, president of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest and co-president of MissionH24:
"The H24 was a landmark car in the MissionH24 program, as it was the first electric hydrogen prototype to compete in endurance racing, in the Michelin Le Mans Cup, linking the finish line at each of its engagements. The H24EVO marks a new stage for MissionH24: fielding a hydrogen-electric prototype capable of competing alongside conventional combustion-powered cars. Hydrogen won't be on the track, it'll be competing on it."
Jean-Michel Bouresche, CEO of H24Project and co-president of MissionH24:
"Our aim is to make the H24EVO the 1st FIA homologated electric-hydrogen prototype, with a level of performance equivalent to the best GT3s.
To achieve this, we need to integrate the latest technologies, in particular to provide the necessary power. I'd like to take this opportunity to salute Symbio's strong commitment to the H24EVO program."
- TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS -
H24EVO
Symbio fuel cell
New-generation multi-stacks
300 KW net
2 hydrogen gas tanks at 700 bar
7.8 kg H2
872 HP electric motor
Adess LMP chassis 1300 kg
400 KW lithium battery
