Hydrogen-Powered Racecars

The Forze IX is the ninth hydrogen-electric race car developed by Forze Hydrogen Racing, a student team at Delft University of Technology. Over the past three years, the vehicle has been engineered to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in under three seconds, reach a top speed of 300 km/h, and deliver 240 kW (327 hp) of continuous power via its fuel cell system. Its powertrain combines two PEM fuel cells with an electric four-wheel-drive architecture and a supercapacitor energy storage unit, managed by advanced control software to provide instantaneous torque and optimized energy efficiency. Designed for the GT Class of the Supercar Challenge, the Forze IX aims to demonstrate that zero-emission propulsion can compete directly with established high-performance petrol-powered cars on track.

In August 2025, the Forze IX made its debut at Jack’s Racing Day on the TT Circuit Assen, participating in the Supercar Challenge under an interim configuration. Thousands of visitors witnessed live laps of a hydrogen-powered race car, while team members presented their approaches to onboard hydrogen storage, fuel cell integration, and smart control strategies. The event underscored Forze Hydrogen Racing’s goal of accelerating the energy transition through sustainable motorsport and showcased how innovations developed for racing can translate to broader applications in heavy transport and industry. By fielding a functional hydrogen race car in competitive sessions, the team reinforced hydrogen’s viability as a high-performance, emission-free alternative in motorsport environments.

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