Groundbreaking Liquid Hydrogen Vehicle's 18-Month Long Race Towards Completion
In a groundbreaking achievement for motorsport and hydrogen engine technology, Toyota's second-generation GR Corolla H2, powered by liquid hydrogen, completed the gruelling NAPAC Fuji SUPER TEC 24 Hours Race on May 28, 2023. This milestone victory, achieved after just 18 months of high-speed development, represents a significant step towards carbon neutrality in motorsport.
The development of the GR Corolla H2 began at the start of 2022, marking Toyota's commitment to pushing the boundaries of hydrogen engine technology. The project, led by Assistant Manager Ryosuke Yamamoto from the GR Vehicle Development Division, aimed to attract more partners to refine the technology and bring it to the forefront of motorsport.
The transition from gaseous hydrogen to liquid hydrogen presented numerous challenges. Engineers had to refine hydrogen injection and combustion systems to ensure reliable burning of liquid hydrogen, which differs significantly from its gaseous counterpart in storage, handling, and combustion characteristics.
To extend the car’s range and competitiveness, improvements were made to the hydrogen pump and tank technologies. By the fourth year of competition, these enhancements increased the vehicle’s range by 50%, bringing it on par with rival cars powered by conventional fuels.
Meeting strict safety regulations for liquid hydrogen integration in motorsport was another hurdle. Toyota had to develop safe yet high-performance liquid hydrogen storage and delivery systems compliant with the FIA's recently established protocols covering vehicle storage, refueling procedures, pressure testing, and leak detection.
Competing at endurance racing speed and reliability demands required balancing power, speed, and economy while maintaining sustainability goals. Liquid hydrogen brings tremendous energy density but also presents complex thermal management and handling challenges at racing intensities.
Several new parts were needed for the liquid hydrogen car, including a booster pump, a vaporizer, and a pressure chamber. A mock-up version of the liquid hydrogen system was unveiled by the team's engineers, and the tank for the liquid hydrogen car had to be specially developed with outstanding insulation to keep the hydrogen fuel in its liquid state.
The H2 Corolla, a liquid hydrogen-fueled car, first raced on gaseous hydrogen one year prior to the event described. The participation of the GR Corolla H2 in the race was a world-first undertaking, demonstrating Toyota's leadership in hydrogen engine technology.
Tomoya Takahashi, now GAZOO Racing Company President, described the development of the car in June 2022 as having a long way to go, but the team was motivated and working hard. The successful completion of the race indicates the hard work has paid off, and the team remains optimistic about the future of hydrogen engine technology in motorsport.
Automotive analyst Shinya Yamamoto highlighted how the hydrogen engine is like “a catalyst that unleashed our dreams,” and over time it has grown into a serious ally for carbon neutrality in motorsport. With the “summit in sight” by year four, Toyota's GR Corolla H2 is a key milestone in Toyota’s push for carbon-neutral motorsport technologies.
The team hopes that more people will see the technology and step up to help in its development. The success of the GR Corolla H2 in the Fuji Speedway race is a testament to Toyota's commitment to pioneering hydrogen engine technology and pushing the boundaries of what is possible in motorsport.
The development of the project, led by Assistant Manager Ryosuke Yamamoto from the GR Vehicle Development Division, does not only aim to refine hydrogen engine technology in motorsport but also attracts partners from various industries, such as finance and technology, to invest and support this innovative endeavor.
With the successful completion of the NAPAC Fuji SUPER TEC 24 Hours Race, Toyota's GR Corolla H2 has showcased not only its potential in transportation but also the possibility of introducing carbon-neutral technologies in other sectors, paving the way for a more sustainable future.
