Toyota will showcase its new liquid hydrogen-powered race car at Le Mans, marking the vehicle's first public demonstration and advancing hydrogen racing technology.
Toyota hydrogen powered race car is set to make history at the Le Mans 24 Hours by conducting the first public demonstration of its liquid hydrogen-powered TR LH2 Racing Prototype. The groundbreaking vehicle will take to the iconic Circuit de la Sarthe on June 11 and June 13, showcasing how hydrogen technology could help shape the future of motorsport.
The TR LH2 is built on the same framework as Toyota’s TR010 Hybrid Hypercar and has been developed to advance hydrogen-powered racing. Three-time Le Mans winner Kazuki Nakajima will drive the prototype during its demonstration laps.
“After some track testing in the past few months, we are ready to hit the track with the TR LH2 racing prototype in Le Mans,” said Nakajima.
Can hydrogen become the next major motorsport technology
Toyota has spent several years developing hydrogen-powered vehicles. Its journey began in Japan’s Super Taikyu series in 2021 with a hydrogen-powered GR Corolla race car. The company later introduced liquid hydrogen technology and expanded testing through rally events and demonstration runs around the world.
The latest Le Mans appearance marks another important step in that development path. Fans attending the event will not only see the automobile on track but will also be able to view it in the Hydrogen Village, an exhibition dedicated to hydrogen technologies and carbon-neutral mobility solutions.
Hydrogen innovation extends beyond Toyota
Toyota will not be alone in promoting hydrogen power at Le Mans. The Ligier JS2 RH2, developed jointly by Bosch Engineering, Maserati, and Ligier Automotive, will also complete demonstration laps during race week.
The hydrogen-combustion race car features a modified version of Maserati’s Nettuno 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 engine. Engineers adapted key systems to run on hydrogen while maintaining high-performance capabilities.
According to Bosch Motorsport, the engine produces approximately 480 kW of power and 880 Nm of torque. The vehicle has completed nearly 5,000 miles of testing without major technical issues. Industry leaders involved in the project say the collaboration demonstrates how hydrogen can deliver strong performance while supporting lower-emission mobility solutions.
A vision for the future
The Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) and the FIA continue working toward introducing a dedicated hydrogen category in the FIA World Endurance Championship and at Le Mans later this decade. Current targets point to a potential debut between 2028 and 2029.
With Toyota and Ligier showcasing advanced hydrogen-powered race cars, this year’s Le Mans event represents more than a race. It serves as a testing ground for technologies that could influence the future of motorsport and sustainable transportation worldwide.
As Business Fortune sees, hydrogen development accelerates and infrastructure expands and the demonstrations at Le Mans may be remembered as another significant milestone on the road toward carbon-neutral racing.
