Swiss specialty carmakers GreenGT is building its LMP H2 Prototype high performance racecar to zoom around the 2012 24 Hours of Le Mans. The GreenGT LMP H2 will be powered by hydrogen gas plus a 300 Kw fuel cell.
The hydrogen racecar will start with the LMP chassis and carry 12 liters of compressed hydrogen gas at 10,000 psi inside and onboard high pressure tanks. In the autumn of 2011, the first GreenGT LMP H2 prototype will carry a 100 kw fuel cell. Later, by race time, the LMP H2 will be fitted with the 300 Kw fuel cell that I’ve already mentioned.
Six time Le Mans driver, and 2 time 2nd placer and winner Christian Pescatori will be the driver of the development car. The hydrogen fuel used for this adventure is supposed to be created by the use of solar energy and water, making this a true zero emissions racecar.
Here’s a demonstration of what this will look like in 2012. Now, I’ve talked about hydrogen racecars many times in the past. Some conservationists don’t like the idea wasting any kind of fuel even if it is the zero emissions kind.
Others see racing as an opportunity to show off hydrogen cars to the world and say that H2 vehicles can do everything gasoline-powered cars can do and then some. You can make up your own mind whether or not you think that having the GreenGT LMP H2 at the 2012 Le Mans is a good idea. Whether you are for or against, one thing you’ll need to consider is that zero emissions have to be a plus around a crowded racetrack or race path.