AVL Racetech has joined MissionH24, a program led by H24Project and the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) focused on developing hydrogen-based, zero-emission powertrains for endurance racing. AVL Racetech (the motorsport division of Austrian tech company AVL) provides advanced vehicle simulation expertise to support the initiative.
MissionH24 aims to demonstrate the performance and competitiveness of hydrogen technologies under real racing conditions, with the aim of creating a zero-CO2 emission category at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. With the support of AVL Racetech, the plan is to develop the H24EVO prototype in a targeted manner.
Pierre Fillon, president of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest and co-president of MissionH24, said, “AVL’s involvement alongside MissionH24 demonstrates the value of our program; the search for decarbonized solutions is essential. AVL’s established reputation in the automotive sector lends tremendous credibility to MissionH24. This collaboration promises to be invaluable.”
AVL Racetech will support the project as a technical partner, bringing its extensive experience in virtual vehicle development. A key element of this contribution will be the AVL VSM Race advanced vehicle simulation software. The fully dynamic simulation platform enables the virtual representation and analysis of complex interactions between the complete vehicle, the powertrain and the energy management system. It therefore reportedly supports the seamless integration of user-defined algorithms into VCU software-in-the-loop (SIL) and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) workflows specifically designed to optimize the powertrain performance and energy management strategies of the H24EVO race car.
Jean-Michel Bouresche, CEO of H24Project and co-president of MissionH24, added, “AVL will strengthen MissionH24’s pool of technical partners, all of whom are recognized players in the automotive sector. AVL’s skills and expertise will undoubtedly enable us to achieve MissionH24’s ambitious goals.”
Looking ahead, the technical collaboration is planned to be extended from the virtual environment into full vehicle testing. The partners say that the alliance between AVL Racetech, H24Project and ACO as part of the MissionH24 program is a long-term commitment, with a partnership agreement for the next three years.
Ellen Lohr, director motorsport at AVL List, commented, “AVL Racetech is an established engineering partner in 17 top-tier racing series worldwide. We are connected with the MissionH24 by our shared vision of enabling sustainable motorsports and demonstrating that innovative technologies are tangible, feasible and competitive on the racetrack.”
In related news, Johnson Matthey opens cutting-edge hydrogen ICE test facility in Sweden