(Hericourt / France) – The French vehicle manufacturer Gaussin SA is taking part in the 2022 Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia with a hydrogen-powered truck. The race started on January 1st in Ha'il and ends on January 14th in Jeddah.
The “H2 Racing Truck” model presented by Gaussin has a design that is said to withstand extreme conditions. The data and information collected during the rally will later be used to further develop the planned product range for road transport. According to the company, the truck is the world's first hydrogen and electric-powered racing truck.
Ultralight standardized chassis
The H2 Racing Truck is the first model in a series of new vehicles scheduled to hit the market in 2022. A so-called “skateboard” serves as the basis 
standardized ultra-light chassis designed around hydrogen and electric propulsion, enabling bodies from 18 to 44 tonnes. The design comes from the Italian coachbuilder Pininfarina SpA. The “skateboard” is available in a hydrogen long-distance version with a refueling time of less than 20 minutes for a range of 800 kilometers and in a pure electric version for short distances with a battery change time of three minutes for a range of 400 kilometers. Five models are planned: tractor unit, truck for long-distance transport, distribution vehicle, construction site vehicle and racing vehicle. The H2 Racing Truck has, among other things, two electric motors with 300 kilowatts each, 380 kilowatt fuel cells, 
a battery with a capacity of 82 kilowatt hours and an 80 kilogram hydrogen tank. The top speed is stated to be 140 kilometers per hour and the range is 250 kilometers under racing conditions. The vehicle is also street legal.
At the beginning of December, Gaussin and the world's largest oil production company Saudi Aramco signed an agreement according to which the French want to set up a production facility for hydrogen vehicles “Made in Saudi Arabia”. Aramco is also sponsoring the hydrogen-powered truck for the Dakar Rally.
Editor's note: According to media reports, the organizer Amaury Sport Organization (ASO) is considering canceling the rally. A French driver was injured in an explosion in Jeddah. The French foreign minister said there was “possibly a terrorist attack.” Investigations have been initiated. (January 07, 2022)
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Racing truck “H2 Racing Truck”. © Gaussin SA
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In April 2021, Gaussin presented the chassis called “Skateboard” for hydrogen-powered or fully electric trucks. © Gaussin SA
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Concept study for hydrogen trucks, the market launch of which Gaussin has announced for 2022. © Gaussin SA
