FuelCellsWorks

“THE HAGUE (The Netherlands–Greenchoice Forze hydrogen fuel cell race team from the Technical University Delft has won the Formula Zero race in The Hague, the Netherlands on Thursday. The students team battled in a series of five flying laps against a gasoline powered go-kart around a 250 metres circuit near city hall. The zero emission racing vehicle from the students appeared to be the quickest competitor in four out of five rounds. It was the first time in Formula Zero’s history that a zero emission vehicle competed against a vehicle on conventional fuel.”

Result: 4 – 1
The first three rounds of the competition between the zero emission racing vehicle and the gasoline powered go-kart – sponsored by Kombikart – were won by the Dutch students by just a few tenths of a second. However victory went to the students, the competition continued for the remaining two rounds. One was won by the gasoline powered vehicle, but Greenchoice Forze lapped a bit quicker in the final round with a record time of 22,91 seconds. Result: 4 – 1 in favor of the hydrogen racing vehicle from the TU Delft.

Sugar water
This event in the city center of The Hague was announced by Renault Formula 1 driver Ho-Pin Tung on July 14. The Dutch Chinese driver demonstrated the third generation hydrogen fuel cell vehicle on the slippery surface of the Spuiplein. The Delft students needed to come up with a brilliant idea to make the surface able to race on. The solution was simple: sugar water which generated more traction for the racing vehicles. More than 400 kilo sugar was used during the tests on Wednesday and the races on Thursday.

Formula Zero
Formula Zero B.V. was founded in 2003 and organized worlds first race with hydrogen fuel cell powered vehicles in 2008. The Formula Zero race in The Hague is part of a series of demonstration and championship races among top universities from all over the world. They have built and designed their own zero emission racing vehicles. This initiative reaches its goal by promoting sustainable car techniques.

Bavaria City Racing
For those who has missed this event: Greenchoice Forze from the TU Delft will demonstrate their zero emission vehicle on Sunday 22 August during the event Bavaria City Racing in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.