Grand Duke Supports Bertrand Piccard in Hydrogen Car Record Attempt

The Grand Ducal Court has announced that His Royal Highness the Grand Duke of Luxembourg received in audience Swiss psychiatrist and balloonist Dr. Bertrand Piccard at the Grand Ducal Palace on Monday.

The reception of Dr. Bertrand Piccard, the pioneer of the Solar Impulse aircraft project, formed part of the Swiss adventurer's attempt to set a new world record for greatest distance covered at the wheel of a hydrogen vehicle.

At the end of this audience, Luxembourg's Grand Duke, whom the Court described as an ecology enthusiast, joined Dr. Bertrand Piccard for a ride in the hydrogen car. The Swiss scientist and Grand Duke Henri travelled together along a few roads in Luxembourg.

Dr. Bertrand Piccard is currently attempting to set a new world record by promoting environmentally friendly technologies, ie hydrogen vehicles. The goal is to travel 700 kilometres (from Strasbourg to Paris via Luxembourg) in a hydrogen car without refuelling.