The event featured plenary sessions led by keynote speakers, industrialists, and public stakeholders. It also highlighted experiments while hosting exhibitions plus a discussion space with industry stakeholders.
 
Le Mans Hydrogène created a vibrant meeting place for synergies between industry and local authorities, paving the way for concrete solutions for the decarbonization of mobility at the regional and national levels.
 
Covering a wide range of vehicle applications, including racing, everyday personal use, public service vehicles and the differences between country approaches to Hydrogen applications, the event was attended by approximately 300 industry professionals.
 
Also in attendance were Stephane le Foll (Mayor of Le Mans), Mr Taku Hasegawa (Kawasaki Gas Turbine Europe, GMBH) and Pierre Fillon (ASO President – organisers of the Le Mans world endurance race and the Tour de France)
 
The lunch period provided delegates an opportunity to travel the famous Le Mans circuit in hydrogen vehicles and also included a demonstration run by Kawasaki’s unique Ninja H2 Hydrogen ICE motorcycle.
 
Circulating for two laps in the expert hands of Matthias Hoeppner, a Kawasaki test rider, the machine relies of twin hydrogen fuel tanks for motive power via a modified Ninja H2 four-cylinder, supercharged engine. 
 
Part of a research project into alternative and future fuels, the hydrogen powered motorcycle creates virtually none of the usual emissions associated with gasoline powered engines and forms a core part of Kawasaki’s mission to become carbon neutral in the future.
 
Speaking of the demonstration, Hoeppner commented:
“We have been demonstrating our Hydrogen ICE motorcycle at a number of events in recent months including the final stage of the Tour de France, which Kawasaki is a sponsor of. People are fascinated with the technology and genuinely pleased that Kawasaki is at the forefront of adapting this clean fuel application to powered two-wheelers”.
 
Photography courtesy of KME and Le Mans Métropole.