A first for liquid hydrogen at Le Mans!
June 11, 2026, will remain an important date in the history of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. A liquid hydrogen prototype, the Toyota TR LH2 Racing Prototype, completed a demonstration lap on the legendary circuit. This marks a significant milestone in the ACO’s commitment to the energy transition.
Since 2018, with the launch of the MissionH24 program, a collaboration between the ACO and H24Project, the deployment of hydrogen in racing has been one of the priorities of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in its quest for a zero CO2 emissions race.
Many milestones have already been reached: testing of prototypes using gaseous hydrogen, construction of a gaseous hydrogen station, drafting of standards, establishment of safety rules...
For the future hydrogen prototype category, hydrogen stored in liquid form (which is denser) has been selected by the FIA. It will be able to power prototypes using fuel cells or combustion engines.
On Thursday, June 11, 2026, the first liquid hydrogen prototype took the track at Le Mans. The Toyota TR LH2 Racing Prototype, driven by Kazuki Nakajima. Spectators as well as numerous observers followed this special lap.
The Alpine Alpenglow, driven by David Praschl, also on the track this Thursday, will attempt to set a track record on Saturday at over 313 km/h.
Hydrogen is thus proving its potential and reliability, and demonstrating that zero CO2 emissions racing is possible.
The Hydrogen Village is open!
Hydrogénie, the conversational hologram developed by McQueen Design, welcomed its first visitors on Wednesday. Among them was Pierre Fillon, President of the Automobile Club de l'Ouest, who was there to inaugurate the Hydrogen Village for the 2026 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The large delegation included representatives from the FIA, SDIS72, the 2nd Rima, the city of Le Mans, and Le Mans Métropole, with Mr. Le Foll in attendance, as well as Le Mans University.
A tour was held in this space dedicated to hydrogen, bringing together manufacturers (Alpine, Toyota Racing, Ligier-Bosch-Maserati), MissionH24, the collaborative program between the ACO and H24Project, the TotalEnergies hydrogen station, Le Mans University, Ecogreen Energy Challenge, Vision Technology, Eodev, Hyliko, Blue Spirit Aero, Ariane Group, the Maison de l’Europe, and Horizon Educational...
The goal of this Hydrogen Village is threefold: to engage spectators, the media, and mobility stakeholders. Various themes are thus presented: motorsports, of course, with a 19-meter-diameter dome (Fugu structure) housing four prototypes, including the Toyota TR LH2 Racing Prototype, which will make its track debut at Le Mans, alongside Alpine’s Alpenglow and the Ligier Bosch JS2 RH2, on Thursday and Saturday, shortly after noon, but also research and science with Le Mans University and Ariane Group, as well as more fun and educational activities such as Horizon Educational and the Ecogreen Challenge Energy, along with the race cars from the energy races.
Hyliko and its truck, Eodev and its generator, Blue Spirit Aero and its aircraft, and Toyota with a fuel-cell bus and a combustion-engine van showcased the various mobility options made possible by hydrogen. Vision Technology also demonstrated the appeal of hydrogen-powered vehicles, ranging from go-karts to prototypes.
To liven up this space and introduce spectators to hydrogen, a multimedia display featuring holograms and lighting effects was set up in the dome, while a karaoke machine powered by a fuel-cell bus allowed spectators interested in the energy transition and music to sing along!!
The Hydrogen Village is open until 5:00 PM on Sunday. Don’t hesitate to visit.
Following the village’s inauguration, a conference organized by IDEC Group and the ACO brought together numerous experts and guests to discuss the contribution of motorsports to research on new energy sources.
News at the ACO H2 Village!
Committed to promoting hydrogen in motorsports, the Automobile Club de l’Ouest has been organizing a Hydrogen Village throughout the week of the 24 Hours of Le Mans for several years now. From June 9 to 14, visit this space dedicated to hydrogen. Racing prototypes, buses, trucks, airplanes, an H2 station, games, research programs, a rocket, and other surprises are on the agenda.
The list of participants grows longer every year, proof that hydrogen, a sustainable energy source, is being deployed across various modes of transportation: land, air, and sea.
In 2026, MissionH24 and its partners (TotalEnergies, Michelin, Richard Mille, Toyota Racing, Fortescue Zero, Motion Applied, Syensqo, Next Solution, Bosch, Forvia, Multimatic, Purflux Group, Texense, AVL Racetech, Isoclima, Sobek, BrightLoop, Kappa Optronics, Gamma Technologies), Alpine, Toyota Racing, Ligier-Bosch, Ariane Group, Blue Spirit Aero, Vision, Eodev, Hylico, the University of Le Mans, the Maison de l’Europe, Horizon Educational and its H2GP program, TotalEnergies and its 700 bar station, as well as the young winners of the Ecogreen Energy Challenge will bring this village to life from Tuesday, June 9, to Sunday, June 14.
Hydrogen prototypes will be on display, vehicle refueling demonstrations will be scheduled for the public (Wednesday and Friday evenings), and technical and interactive activities will allow spectators to familiarize themselves with hydrogen or learn more about this energy source that enables the vision of zero-CO2-emission racing and mobility.
The spatial design, created by James McQueen Design, will use holograms to deliver a modern and interactive educational experience. A 19-meter-diameter dome (an installation by Fugu) will give the display a spectacular look, especially since an airplane (Blue Spirit Aero), parts of an Ariane rocket, and a real hydrogen station (TotalEnergies) will be part of the setup. Also worth noting is the presence of Ensosp (National Higher School for Fire and Rescue Officers) and SDIS72 to share insights on regulations and safety to support this unprecedented deployment.
Since 2018, the ACO has been committed to the energy transition through MissionH24, a program in collaboration with H24Project. A category dedicated to hydrogen prototypes is expected in the coming endurance racing seasons. This will be a first at this level of competition.
From June 9 to 14, starting at 10 a.m. Wednesday through Sunday, the Hydrogen Village welcomes you. With a few surprises in store, such as “sustainable” music, games, and track demonstrations of remarkable vehicles, on Thursday at 12:50 p.m. and Saturday at 12:45 p.m. starting from Maison Blanche.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Wednesday, June 10, 10:30 a.m.: Official inauguration of the Hydrogen Village by the official delegation led by Pierre Fillon, President of the ACO, and all participants at the H2 Village,
- Wednesday, June 10, 11:30 a.m.: Idec ACO conference at the Welcome, dedicated to the crucial contributions of motorsports to mobility. Numerous speakers will be present and available for interviews,
- Thursday, June 11, 12:50 p.m.: Maison Blanche, demonstration of H2 prototypes on the track,
- Thursday, June 11, 2:00 p.m.: M24 Museum, Sustainable Innovation Series by the FIA. Two hydrogen-themed roundtables will be held,
- Saturday, June 13, 12:45 p.m.: Maison Blanche, demonstration of H2 prototypes, including the Alpine Alpenglow and the Ligier Bosch JS2 RH2.