DAKAR 2022: the controversial participation of Gaussin's hydrogen truck

The French Gaussin wanted to create the event by launching the first hydrogen truck on the 2022 edition of the Dakar. But his participation is already controversial and criticized. The vehicle which claims to be “clean, without polluting emissions” is sponsored by Aramco, the Saudi oil company. Overall, the Kamaz still in the lead at halfway.

Baptized H2 racing, the truck which participates without being in the race (it has the number 000) is equipped with two 300 kW electric motors, a 380 kW fuel cell and 82 kWh of batteries. The tanks can hold up to 80 kg of hydrogen. The racing vehicle can reach a speed of 140 km/h with a recharge in 20 minutes for 800 kilometers of autonomy. It is Philippe Jacquot, director of Dépannage 70, based in Frotey-lès-Lure (70), who drives this first 100% hydrogen racing truck and which already has 7 Dakars to its credit.

“Looking ahead, Aramco is working to localize hydrogen vehicle manufacturing in Saudi Arabia as well as developing hydrogen vehicle technologies through its Advanced Innovation Center (LAB7),” Ahmad A. Al said. -Saadi, senior vice president of technical services at Aramco. “Hydrogen has the potential to enable emissions reductions in the transport sector, particularly in segments that are difficult to decarbonise, such as heavy vehicles,” he added.

Hybrids have not said their last word

The partnership is part of the “Dakar Future” program run by Amaury Sport Organisation, the organizer of the Dakar. The established roadmap aims to bring together only low-emission powered vehicles in the car and truck categories by 2030. 5 low-emission vehicles (the Audi prototypes and the Riwald and Hino trucks) are already taking part in the Dakar. This is also the case for the Riwald team's diesel-electric truck, present in the rally-raid since 2020. Owner of the team and driver of truck # 516 which has climbed into the Top 5 twice this week, Gert Huzink assures that “the hybrid truck is durable and ready for a top 10”. The Japanese Hino, also a regular on the Dakar, uses the same technology, with a total power of 1,070 horsepower.

“During this first week on the Dakar 2022 route, we were able to measure the performance of the H2 Racing Truck®. Our truck, produced in 8 months, is born. The torque in all four wheels is phenomenal, which means that with each acceleration, precious time is gained to pass the dunes. As for autonomy, we had planned 250 km in a difficult race profile, we are at 400 km which makes us very optimistic. See you in Jeddah! We are convinced of finishing the Dakar” declared Christophe Gaussin, CEO of the Gaussin group. “The acquisition of data at each of its outings will make it possible to develop a model which could be lined up in the race next year”, specifies the Dakar.

A green Dakar?

Kees Koolen, pilot of the PROJECT2030 truck and CEO of Koolen Industries, hopes to be able to field a 100% electric truck called Nicias next year. He assures “the Dakar is the ultimate testing ground for future technologies. One of the legends of the Dakar, Gerard De Rooy, winner in 2012 and 2016 in the truck category, has teamed up with UMS (Urban Mibility Systems) and Allison Transmissions to develop a truck powered solely by an electric motor. He hopes to field it in 2023, as he explained: “We want to compete to be in the top 10. It's a hell of a challenge but it's the right direction for the category and the Dakar. We are confident that we can make a capable truck for 2023.”

Overall, with less than a week to go, the 3 Kamazs led by Dnitry Sotnikov are still leading the overall standings. The first Frenchman, Sylvain Besnard, at the wheel, is only ^27th .

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