Oreca to Develop Hydrogen Engines for Dakar Rally

Oreca, a well-known French race vehicle manufacturer, will collaborate with FEV, a multinational engineering firm, to create a hydrogen internal combustion engine for use in the 2024 Dakar Rally. Serge Meyer, director of Oreca’s Magny-Cours engine development facility said, “Oreca continues its exploration of alternative energies in the context of motorsports applications. It is with great conviction that we have chosen FEV as our partner to better understand the combustion of hydrogen and accelerate our development.”

Though hydrogen is a zero-emissions fuel when used, nitrogen oxide is the major exhaust gas component in a hydrogen-fueled ICE (NOX ). Hydrogen, on the other hand, may burn lean with a lot of extra air because of its rapid laminar rate of combustion and broad ignition limits. Low exhaust gas temperatures, according to Oreca, mean that nitrogen oxide levels are already far below existing regulatory limits, even without exhaust gas after-treatment. If additional reduction of NOX emissions is necessary after treatment is a viable option.

Nadim Andraos, EVP of FEV France, Spain and North Africa said, ” FEV is already deeply knowledgeable in the area of hydrogen, so this collaboration makes perfect sense. We are very excited to join forces with Oreca since it not only reinforces our commitment to zero-CO2 mobility but also allows us to hone our expertise by purposefully targeting one of the most demanding environments possible – the Dakar Rally, It is an excellent example of how motorsport still plays an important role in development that subsequently benefits the masses through implementing solutions in series production.”

The cooperation between FEV and Oreca will be carried out in two stages. The first, which is currently underway, will be wholly controlled by FEV and will focus on establishing the engine’s technical specifications and simulation efforts. Oreca will supervise the second phase, which will focus on developing, building, and testing a prototype on its own specifically designed test benches.