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.