The Michelin Group entered the “MissionH24” project through the Symbio joint venture with the automotive supplier Faurecia. The aim is to “use hydrogen-based fuel cell drives in long-distance races in the future” and, according to the information, to advance “emission-free mobility”. Michelin hopes this will provide “valuable practical information” that “will accelerate our research and development work in the field of clean fuel cell-based mobility solutions,” says Sonia Artinian-Fredou, Executive Vice President Services and Solutions, High-Tech Materials and member of the Board of Directors. The French oil company Total is also involved in “MissionH24”, which has supported the project since 2019 and has signed up as a partner of the “H24Racing” racing team for five seasons.
A Le Mans Prototype (LMP), called “LMP H2G”, receives a new livery in the colors of Michelin, Symbio and Total. The vehicle had its first “use” at the virtual 24 Hours of Le Mans on the 13th/14th. June, where the fuel cell racing car competed as lead and safety car. The organizers postponed the “real” race from June to September.
“MissionH24” was created on the initiative of the Automobile Club de'l Ouest (ACO), which organizes the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and GreenGT, the developer of the LMP H2G. From 2024, fuel cell-powered electric prototypes will compete in their own class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, according to the plan.
The LMP will undergo a series of tests throughout 2020. In addition, H24Racing's sports prototypes are used at the racing weekends of the Michelin Le Mans Cup organized by the ACO. Michelin not only wants to actively participate in the development of drive solutions for the racing vehicles, but also exclusively equips the H24Racing team with tires, according to a statement.
The aim of the Symbio joint venture is to become a leading global provider in the field of hydrogen mobility. According to managing director Fabio Ferrari, car racing is “not only an excellent experimental field to further push the boundaries of fuel cell technology, but also a platform to make the public aware of the potential of this form of emission-free mobility.”
Headquartered in Clermont-Ferrand, France, Michelin is present in 170 countries, employs more than 127.000 people and operates 69 tire production facilities, which together produced around 2019 million tires in 200.
Deep link:
https://www.michelin-presse.de/web/ops/home/-/journal_content/56/19/1226704
Photos:
Michelin is participating in the MissionH24 project through the Symbio joint venture with automotive supplier Faurecia / © Michelin
