Extreme E, the electric off-road racing series, has revealed its ambitious evolution into Extreme H, the world’s first hydrogen racing championship. The series unveiled its groundbreaking hydrogen-powered race car, the ‘Pioneer 25’, in a launch event aboard the St. Helena ship in front of London’s iconic Tower Bridge.
Set to debut in April 2025, Extreme H aims to revolutionize motorsport by showcasing cutting-edge hydrogen technology in competitive racing environments. The inaugural season will feature 10 rounds across five locations, starting in Saudi Arabia and concluding in the USA, with stops in the UK, Germany, and Italy.
“We are incredibly proud to introduce the world to the first hydrogen racing car and the Extreme H series,” said Alejandro Agag, Founder and CEO of Extreme H. “Fans can expect the same excitement with faster and more intense racing on track, but this launch is not just about a new vehicle; it’s about pioneering the future of sustainable motorsport.”
The Pioneer 25, sporting a special Red Bull livery, was designed and manufactured by Spark Racing Technology and equipped with a hydrogen fuel cell from Symbio, the series’ Official Fuel Cell Provider. The championship aims to transition to a model where 100% of the site’s energy demand is sourced from hydrogen fuel cells, complemented by solar, battery, and wind power.
“Venturing into hydrogen is a really exciting prospect for our series,” said Carlos Sainz, co-founder of ACCIONA | SAINZ XE Team, who unveiled the new car. “It is all about pioneering new paths into sustainable mobility and this championship is unique in the sense that it puts the latest technology to the test in the toughest environments in the world.”
Jenson Button, Team Owner of the JBXE Extreme E team, added: “For Extreme E to be evolving into Extreme H is incredibly exciting and a brilliant step forward in such a short space of time for the series. To see racing of this calibre powered by hydrogen fuel cells, which will allow for even more racing with less impact, is remarkable.”
The series has garnered support from racing legends and F1 stars, including Carlos Sainz Sr., Jimmie Johnson, Nico Rosberg, and Lewis Hamilton. Extreme H has also announced a collaboration with Formula One and the FIA to evaluate hydrogen applications in motorsport and wider mobility.
The Pioneer 25 is expected to make its first public demonstration at the upcoming Hydro X Prix in Scotland, scheduled for July 13-14, 2024.
