Swiss-based manufacturers GreenGT hoped this year would see the list of milestones extend to its non-petrol car. Last year, the Audi e-tron (nicknamed 'Electra' by the team) became the first hybrid car to win the race. It is credited with helping spur the invention of improved aerodynamics, disc brakes, and new types of hybrid power, for example. The organisers of the first Le Mans 24 hour race in 1923 wanted to encourage innovations in the development of fast, fun, but reliable and efficient cars. GreenGT H2 was this yearвЂ™s so-called вЂњGarage 56вЂќ entry, an added slot to the 55 regular racers, which was created for experimental cars testing alternative power technologies. The race, taking place on 22-23 June, will see 56 cars doing multiple laps of the Circuit de la Sarthe вЂ“ a 13.6km (8.5 miles) mix of public roads and specialist racing circuit near the town of Le Mans, France вЂ“ with teams seeking to strike the right balance between speed and durability over 24 hours, stopping only for refuelling. We want to explain to the world that this type of technology is already available and we can use it for not only race cars but for road cars.' 'We love Le Mans, but it is not our only target. If we crash it, or sustain damage, it doesn't help us demonstrate the technology around the world,' says Weber. Le Mans 24 hours is very complex, and we have just one example of the car. вЂњWe took too long to develop the fuel cell, and we don't have enough time on the track to be ready for 24 hours. He stated the vehicle was not quite ready for the tough endurance challenge, and that his ultimate goal of demonstrating fuel cells were a viable alternative to petrol engines was better served by pulling out.

Jean-Francois Weber, Managing Director and Head of R&D for GreenGT, announced the teamвЂ™s withdrawal from the race last weekend. Its participation at Le Mans later this month would have been especially appropriate this year, the 90th anniversary of the race originally launched to encourage innovation.

The GreenGT H2 prototype racer, which has a maximum speed of 300km/h (200mph), uses hydrogen cell technology to generate electricity to run its high power electric motors. The developers of a hydrogen fuel cell car due to become the first vehicle without a petrol engine to compete in the Le Mans 24 hour race have insisted their decision to pull out is the right one. As those familiar with the story of the hare and the tortoise know, the quickest starter does not always win the race.

Le mans prototype 1