Toyota's Strategy for Introducing Hydrogen Technology in World Endurance Championship
Key Ideas
- Toyota plans to race a hydrogen-powered car alongside its existing hybrid car in the 2028 World Endurance Championship, taking advantage of a two-year extension in the current rules.
- The Japanese manufacturer aims to develop a prototype based on the 2023 GR HY Concept and compete in a few races in its maiden season before fully transitioning to hydrogen technology.
- Regulations for liquid hydrogen storage in motorsport applications are being defined by the FIA, ACO, and IMSA, with the goal of having hydrogen cars compete equally with conventionally-fueled machinery by 2028.
- Despite the challenges, Toyota is committed to pursuing hydrogen technology in racing and has no plans to develop a conventional car for the 2030 rules, aligning with the alternative technology philosophy of the ACO and FIA.
Toyota is gearing up to introduce hydrogen technology into the World Endurance Championship by racing a hydrogen-combustion Hypercar alongside its existing GR010 HYBRID in 2028. This move comes after a two-year extension to the current Le Mans Hypercars and LMDhs rules was announced in June. The hydrogen car will be developed based on the 2023 GR HY Concept and is expected to compete in a few races in its debut season before fully transitioning to hydrogen tech. The FIA, ACO, and IMSA are working on defining regulations for liquid hydrogen storage in motorsport applications to ensure equal competition between hydrogen-powered and conventionally-fueled cars by 2028. Toyota's commitment to hydrogen technology in racing is evident as they plan to focus solely on hydrogen prototypes instead of building a conventional car for the 2030 rules. While challenges lie ahead, Toyota remains optimistic about the future of hydrogen in motorsport.
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