Hydrogen-electric powered GreenGT H2 pulls out of 24 Hours of Le Mans

Backers and developers of the hydrogen-electric GreenGT H2 prototype have decided that the car will not be ready for this month's 24 Hours of Le Mans, after all.

The Franco-Swiss racer was expected to follow in the tire tracks of the Nissan-powered DeltaWing and fill the designated “Garage 56” spot for innovative prototypes in the 24 Hours later this month. The Le Mans organizer, the Automobile Club de l'Ouest confirmed last June that the GreenGT would race in 2013.

Developers have announced a testing schedule though June 5, but added in a press release that, "the highly complex phase of fine tuning the high power hydrogen fuel cell is in conflict with the on-track endurance test program, an essential requirement for participation in a demanding race like the Le Mans Classic event.

GreenGT has therefore decided, in agreement with ACO, not to occupy Box 56, as it would be entitled, in 2013."

Jean-François Weber, Managing Director and Head of R&D; of GreenGT, said that more time is required to get the GreenGT H2 ready for such a high-profile racing test as Le Mans.

"The GreenGT H2 is already showing great potential and has great scope for improvement," Weber said. "However, the complexity and cost of this unique model requires the use of extremely rigorous methods and very time-consuming new procedures.

We are only at the beginning of this adventure, and it is essential for us not to cut corners and continue the development of that highly effective demonstration of hydrogen technology which is the GreenGT H2".

The ACO has accepted the car's pullout from the endurance race.

"The technology of the GreenGT H2 is perfectly in line with the spirit of innovation that ACO intends to promote with Box 56," said Vincent Beaumesnil, sports director of ACO. "It works, and the ACO was right in believing in the technological merits of this project. But the 24 Hours of Le Mans is a high endurance event, and it is premature for the GreenGT H2 to take up this challenge.

"However, we will continue to support this initiative and, together with GreenGT, we will soon announce a worldwide demonstration tour which will take place during the same week as the 24 Hours of Le Mans and, possibly, an unranked presence at the start of a World Endurance Championship race, as the regulations allow the presence of this type of vehicle on the starting grid."

The GreenGT is powered by a hydrogen fuel cell, which produces the electricity to drive two electric motors capable of producing the equivalent of 540 hp.