The Automobile Club de l'Ouest is working with the main players in endurance racing, manufacturers and technical partners, to create a category reserved for electric-hydrogen powered prototypes at the Le Mans 24 Hours in 2027. MissionH24 is experimenting with the best technical, sporting and safety solutions to achieve this.
TOWARDS NEW REGULATIONS
Bernard Niclot, Director of Innovation MissionH24 programme:
“The Automobile Club de l’Ouest and the 24 Hours of Le Mans are taking up a trail-blazing challenge with the 2025 regulations: namely, accepting a new form of energy in racing. Safety, storage, refueling and performance all have to be factored in.“
From hybrid to hydrogen
“When hybrid prototypes were accepted for the 24 Hours of Le Mans there was a remarkable reduction in fuel consumption. A revolutionary step is now being taken with electric-hydrogen-powered prototypes – zero emission racing! A car propelled by a electric-hydrogen powertrain rejects only water vapour into the atmosphere.”
Bernard Niclot, Director of Innovation MissionH24 programme
Bernard Niclot: « The cars that compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans have to be quick robust prototypes that can cover around 5000 km in the race itself thanks to substantial economy, quick refueling stops, etc. With hydrogen all these aims are achieved as is a new, essential element - decarbonised mobility! »
Bernard Niclot
Bernard Niclot, Director of Innovation MissionH24 programme