Racing prototypes, demonstrators, various mobility vehicles (air, land, sea), university research, educational games, storage stations… hydrogen will be present in the paddock and on the track during the 131st National Congress of French Firefighters. This hydrogen village, organized by SDIS72, is a testament to the collaboration with the Automobile Club de l’Ouest to deploy this new energy in competition, in order to decarbonize racing and contribute to the energy transition. Safely.

 

For several years now, the Automobile Club de l’Ouest and SDIS72 have been working together to integrate a new energy source into racing: hydrogen. This pioneering program is part of the ACO’s energy transition strategy.
This collaboration will be highlighted at the French Firefighters’ Congress, which will be held from October 8 to 11 in Le Mans, notably at the legendary racetrack.
To learn more about this energy source, there will be numerous workshops, demonstrations, and debates.

First, head to the Hydrogen Village, located in the circuit’s paddock. In this space, you can discover different modes of transportation, various uses, and research projects. Don’t miss Alpine’s Alpenglow Hy6, the Toyota Yaris GR H2, MissionH24’s H24EVO, as well as the Toyota Mirai, Toyota’s Hilux H2 prototype, the Hyliko truck, the H2 bus from the city of Le Mans, the eMoving bus, programs from the University of Le Mans, ENSOSP, SDIS72, DiscoverHy, the K-Challenge boat programs, Blue Spirit Aero’s aircraft,, the sustainable Michelin tire, the EODev generator and the use of hydrogen by Ariane Group and educational institutions. A TotalEnergies station and a generator will be installed as demonstrators. And don’t forget to come and admire the gleaming and surprising H2O.

On October 9, at the Parc des Expositions, starting at 10 a.m., hydrogen will be the focus of a major debate. Participants will include:

  • Bernard Niclot, ACO hydrogen consultant,
  • Pierre Fillon, President of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest,
  • Thomas Chevaucher, Technical Engineering Director for the International Automobile Federation,
  • Pascal Vasselon, Vice President of Strategic Development at TOYOTA GAZOO Racing,
  • Pierre-Jean Tardy, Chief Hydrogen Engineer at Alpine Racing,
  • Bassel Aslan, Technical Director at MissionH24,
  • Yves Grémaud, New Energy Project Engineer, TotalEnergies Motorsport Division,
  • Taku Hasegawa, Manager of the Hydrogen Strategy Division at Kawasaki Heavy Industries,
  • Nicolas Hardouin, Hydrogen Program Manager at Ariane Group,
  • Benoît Guérin, Commander at SDIS72.

 

Don’t miss the demonstrations scheduled for October 9 and 11 on the Bugatti circuit, starting at 3:30 p.m. You will be able to access some of the vehicles.

Guided tours are scheduled every day, Wednesday and Thursday from 2 p.m., Friday at 10 a.m., 2 p.m., and 4 p.m., as well as Saturday at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.