Race Finale Highlight: The Transformation of Hydrogen Technology in Motor Racing
In a significant step towards a hydrogen-powered future, Toyota Gazoo Racing and Rookie Racing have successfully tested the refueling of liquid hydrogen for cars at a conventional hydrogen filling station in Aichi Prefecture. The demonstration, which took place during the final round of the 2024 ENEOS Super Taikyu Series at Fuji Speedway, was covered in a special edition of Toyota Times News.
The focus of the demonstration was Car No. 32 from ROOKIE Racing, a Corolla racecar that has been upgraded to run on liquid hydrogen. This marks a significant advancement as liquid hydrogen offers greater energy density, longer driving range, and potential weight advantages over gaseous hydrogen.
Until now, the Corolla had been using gaseous hydrogen, but the upgrade to liquid hydrogen is a significant step forward. Liquid hydrogen refueling has been performed on the racetrack before, but this demonstration was aimed at proving its feasibility at existing hydrogen infrastructure with adaptations for cryogenic liquid handling.
The purpose of the demonstration was to make it possible to refuel both gaseous and liquid hydrogen at existing filling stations. Iwatani Corporation, a development partner, is confident that they can make refueling with liquid hydrogen a reality, even beyond the racetrack.
Yuta Tomikawa, who visited the hydrogen filling station, was on hand to witness the demonstration. The event is significant as it anticipates the future use of liquid hydrogen-powered vehicles. The testing involves actual motorsport participation and demonstration laps, such as the 2023 Circuit de la Sarthe demonstration, which has shown that liquid hydrogen refueling is feasible at existing hydrogen infrastructure with adaptations for cryogenic liquid handling.
This practical testing at conventional hydrogen filling stations helps Toyota develop and validate the technology under demanding conditions while contributing to a carbon-neutral mobility future. The work is helping build the ecosystem needed to expand liquid hydrogen use for vehicles beyond motorsports, working with industry partners to improve production, transportation, and on-site refueling systems compatible with liquid hydrogen at regular filling stations.
The demonstration is a step towards making refueling with liquid hydrogen a practical reality, and it is part of the progress towards a society powered by hydrogen. The event took place in the context of the 2024 ENEOS Super Taikyu Series, and it is hoped that this is just the beginning of a new era for hydrogen-powered vehicles.
- The demonstration aims to make it possible for both gaseous and liquid hydrogen refueling at existing hydrofilling stations, as a step towards advancing the energy sector in transportation and automotive industries.
- Iwatani Corporation, a development partner, is optimistic that they can make liquid hydrogen refueling a mainstream reality, extending beyond the boundaries of motorsport and the racetrack, involving finance and technology sectors.
- The practical testing at conventional hydrogen filling stations is crucial for Toyota in developing, validating, and expanding the use of liquid hydrogen technology in the industry, leading to a carbon-neutral future in the energy sector.
