It’s no secret that as part of its multi pathway approach to carbon neutrality, Toyota has been not just exploring the use of hydrogen as an alternative fuel but also developed working drivetrains. Using hydrogen fuel cell technology, it developed the Mirai FCEV in 2014 and sold it in selected markets, followed by a second generation in 2020.
The Mirai’s fuel cell uses hydrogen gas for the chemical reaction which generates electricity and while that is one approach that can be commercialised, Toyota has also looked at using liquid hydrogen as a fuel.
Its development work on liquid hydrogen-fuelled drivetrains has advanced quite a lot over the past few years, with running prototypes being entered in some races in Japan and Thailand. Toyota sees motorsports as an ideal place for R&D as the conditions are extreme. Systems may break or fail under racing conditions but by understanding why they did, the engineers can develop solutions which could also be transferred to production models later on.
At the Le Mans 24-Hour race in France this week, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing has unveiled the GR LH2 Racing Concept, a liquid hydrogen (LH2) fuelled testcar as an example of its use of motorsports for hydrogen engine development.
The GR LH2 Racing Concept is based on the GR010 HYBRID Hypercar which currently participates in the FIA World Endurance Championship. Through future track testing, the GR LH2 Racing Concept will support Toyota’s ongoing development of hydrogen technology and infrastructure, as well as helping build relationships to expand the possibilities of hydrogen through the challenge of motorsports. Toyota has also accelerated its efforts to expand the production, transportation, and use of hydrogen together with partners inside and outside the industry.
This is the second time that a hydrogen-fuelled prototype has been displayed at Le Mans. In 2023, a hydrogen-engine Corolla completed a demonstration lap of the Le Mans circuit, while a hydrogen engine concept car, the GR H2 Racing Concept, was presented to preview a potential future hydrogen category at the classic endurance race.
The potential of hydrogen engines in rallying was also showcased in 2022 when a GR Yaris H2 completed demonstration runs on Ypres Rally, a round of the FIA World Rally Championship.