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TOYOTA UNVEILS THE HYDROGEN-POWERED GR H2 RACING CONCEPT DURING A LE MANS 24 HOURS PRESS CONFERENCE

Published: 2023-06-09 18:52:24 Last Updated: 2023-06-09 19:55:46

Taking full advantage of all the eye on this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans race, Toyota and its motorsport partner, Gazoo Racing, unveiled a concept car for the future, that if all goes well will be seen in competition as soon as 2026. Toyota Motor Corporation Chairman Akio Toyoda revealed GR H2 Racing Concept to the world, a racecar that lives on hydrogen fuel instead of fossil fuel or electronic power, which is a win for motorsport, the auto industry and most importantly, the planet. It’s great to see one of the giants of the automotive world still exploring other fuel sources even though everyone else has aimed their sights solely on electric power for future models. Toyota has been competing in the Super Taikyu Series since Round 3 of the 2021 season in a hydrogen-powered Corolla. The same car competed in the Idemitsu 1500 Super Endurance 2022 race in Thailand at the Chang International Circuit in December of last year. This has given the men in white coats boatloads of data that has helped to hone its technologies in a motorsport environment which helps to accelerate the company’s efforts for producing, transporting, and using hydrogen fuels while working towards a carbon-neutral society. “My congratulations to the ACO, and all involved, on the 100th anniversary of Le Mans. Le Mans is a place where we not only compete in one of the world's most celebrated races but a place where we can push the boundaries of technology - a place where we can realize the future. We are grateful to the ACO and Le Mans for providing this unique opportunity to share our efforts with the world. My goal is to achieve carbon neutrality in motorsports without sacrificing anything in terms of performance or excitement. We look forward to our new GR H2 race car in view of the new Le Mans H2 class in the future. The sound, the torque, the dynamics, it's all there. Not only are we re-imagining the race car, we're doing it with zero emissions. Here's to the next 100 years of checkered flags!” says Akio Toyoda, Toyota President.

“This June 9, 2023 will be (was) a milestone in the history of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the FIA World Endurance Championship: a manufacturer, and which manufacturer, the No1 in the world, has just presented its Hydrogen Endurance project. 100 years ago, the ACO created the 24 Hours of Le Mans, a real technological laboratory for a car in full development. Today, mobility is undergoing a revolution, that of the energy transition and the 24 hours of Le Mans participate in the search for sustainable technologies. Since 2018, the ACO, with MissionH24 and GreenGT, has been promoting hydrogen, a safe and efficient energy carrier. This day is a new crucial step for the creation of the Hydrogen category of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Once again, Endurance demonstrates its commitment to sustainable mobility, in line with automotive players. I would like to salute this challenge from Toyota, the vision of these men and women. Toyoda San, by officially presenting this Hydrogen project today, you have left your mark on the history of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.” said ACO President Pierre Fillon.

Here’s a basic overview of hydrogen as a fuel source, and it should explain a bit about why Toyota is continuing its research and development in this alternative fuel source:

Hydrogen Production: Hydrogen gas (H2) can be produced through various methods, such as steam methane reforming, electrolysis, or other renewable sources like solar or wind. The most common method currently used is steam methane reforming, where natural gas reacts with steam to produce hydrogen.

Hydrogen Storage: Hydrogen is stored in high-pressure tanks on board the vehicle. Alternatively, in some cases, it can be stored in a solid form using materials such as metal hydrides or carbon nanotubes.

Fuel Cell System: The fuel cell stack in the vehicle converts the stored hydrogen into electricity through an electrochemical process. It combines hydrogen from the storage tanks with oxygen from the air to produce electricity, water vapour, and heat.

Electric Power and Propulsion: The electricity generated by the fuel cell powers an electric motor that drives the vehicle's wheels, providing propulsion. The power output of fuel cells can be adjusted according to the power demands of the vehicle.

Water Vapor Emission: As a byproduct of the fuel cell reaction, water vapor is emitted from the vehicle's tailpipe. This makes hydrogen fuel cell vehicles emit only water, making them environmentally friendly.

Take a look at the YouTube video that shows off the amazing concept racecar powered by planet-friendly hydrogen fuels, that if all goes to plan will be seen in competition at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2026. The car looks to have everything it needs to be a successful competition car, we'll be keeping an eye out for this car and other alternative fuel racecars coming up, take a look and see if this car interests you as much as it does us: GR H2 Racing Concept - World Premiere at Le Mans 24 Hours | TOYOTA GAZOO Racing

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Article Tags: News Technology Fuels Future Concept Hydrogen GR H2 Racing Concept SXdrv 24 Hours of Le Mans Le Mans Toyota