Toyota to race hydrogen engine prototype at Le Mans 2026

Toyota has revealed the GT H2 Racing concept, confirming its commitment to race a hydrogen combustion engine prototype at Le Mans in the future. This follows a recent announcement from 24 Hours of Le Mans organiser ACO that a new hydrogen class will be created for hydrogen engine as well as fuel-cell EVs (FCEV) from 2026.

1. Toyota GR H2 Racing concept targets 2026 Le Mans hydrogen class
2. Powered by hydrogen engine linked to a hybrid system

Toyota GR H2 Racing concept revealed

Toyota has unveiled its concept ahead of the 100th anniversary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Race organisers have created a hydrogen class for 2026 and have also pledged to use the category’s 'balance of performance' rules to put the cars on par with the fastest racing cars, opening up the potential for a hydrogen-powered car to win outright.

From 2030, organisers say they anticipate all cars racing at Le Mans will be hydrogen-powered. While the regulations allow hydrogen fuel cells and combustion engines to be used, the latter is favoured by many – including Toyota – as it retains the noise and visceral emotion of today’s racing machines.

Very few technical details of the Toyota GR H2 Racing Concept have been revealed, beyond the fact that it is powered by a hydrogen engine linked to a hybrid system and is 5,100mm long and 2,050mm wide. That makes it slightly larger than this year’s LMP1-H Le Mans Prototype, which is 4,650mm long and 1,900mm wide.

Hydrogen combustion: How does it work?

As the name suggests, hydrogen combustion tech takes an internal combustion engine and modifies it to burn hydrogen rather than petrol or diesel. Toyota says the key merits of this technology include “the ability to leverage existing internal combustion engine technologies, quick refuelling times and clear reduction in the use and need for limited-supply resources such as lithium and nickel”.

Toyota’s hydrogen push

Toyota has long pioneered hydrogen as a zero-CO2 fuel source, commercialising the Mirai fuel-cell road car, as well as developing several heavy-duty uses for the powertrain. However, in recent years, it has stepped up its development of hydrogen-powered engine technology, especially for use in motorsport.

Since 2021, it has been competing in the Super Taikyu Series in Japan using a hydrogen-engined Toyota Corolla. It has also used the car in super endurance racing in Thailand, and earlier this year completed the Fuji 24 Hours with the car.

On the potential of hydrogen-powered engines being developed for road applications, Toyota said: “We are about 50 percent through the development path that is required to get to road car production. We don’t know if we’ll get there, but we are not giving up yet. Considering the multitude of customer requirements and the environment across all markets where Toyota sells cars, we prefer to keep a multi-tech approach open.”

Toyota has previously showcased hydrogen-engined versions of the GR Yaris, GR Corolla and Corolla Cross.

Also see:

Toyota Mirai review: The alternate future of the car