A French company is developing the first hydrogen-powered rally car.
The countdown has already started for the first hydrogen racing car made by a French company. Chaired by Guerlain Chicherit, rally driver and former off-road rally world champion, GCK Motor Sport, based in Issoire, is developing the first rally car powered by a hydrogen fuel cell. It is already preparing for the Dakar Rally in January 2024. At its wheel, Philippe Croizon, this disabled adventurer known for his incredible challenges: a crossing of the English Channel in 2010 and the Dakar Rally of 2017, which he finished in 48th place.
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“ From next January, we will seek to improve the performance and robustness of the car. We will work on the settings of the engine, the fuel cell, the battery “, explains Éric Boudot, the general manager of GCK. The sand, the heat, the possible rolls of the car will be difficult for a hydrogen vehicle. But Philippe Croizon is ready to take up this new challenge. Until now, GCK applies to the retrofit, that is to say the transformation of thermal vehicles (diesel) into electric, groomers, coaches, trucks, boats. The company, which has not yet obtained certification, plans to retrofit around fifty by the end of 2023.
Decarbonize transport
Green Corp Konnection (GCK), brought together eight companies and 140 employees in 2020. Located in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, they aim to decarbonize transport. The group manufactures lithium ion batteries for various uses (cars, electrically assisted bicycles, etc.), fuel cells, electric motors. It manufactures electric or biofuel racing cars. A year ago, GCK also took over the operation of the Charade racing circuit (Puy de Dôme) – which belongs to the department – to make it a test center with electric and hydrogen vehicles. GCK also provides solar or hydrogen energy solutions to replace fuel-based generators.
This hydrogen racing car project, started in 2019, should cost several million euros according to the leaders of GCK.