In a stunning turn of events, Extreme E will be turning into Extreme H. Extreme E is an FIA-sanctioned international off-road racing series. The racing series is notable for its use of electric vehicles (EVs). Racing locations are done usually in more remote parts of the world in order to raise awareness for certain aspects of climate change. Now, Extreme E will be retiring their signature EVs and replacing them with hydrogen powered ones instead.
The transition is to be a joint collaboration between motorsport leaders
The project to transition Extreme E into Extreme H is a joint collaboration between The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the FIA Formula One World Championship and, of course, Extreme E themselves. The plan is to establish a Hydrogen Working Group made up of representatives from all three industries. Included representatives are: Mark Grain, Extreme E Technical Director; Pat Symonds, F1 Chief Technical Officer; and Nikolas Tombazis, FIA Single Seater Director.
The group will not only oversee Extreme E’s transition but will also be overseeing motorsport’s developments for hydrogen applications within motorsport vehicles’ fuel cells and battery storage. Additionally, they will be considering hydrogen’s role in race site infrastructure, transportation, charging, storage and management, and its safety implications.
The first hydrogen-powered motor racing championship to commence from 2025
Extreme E made its first debut in 2021. With a focus on advocating for sustainable technology, the rebranded series will see hydrogen-powered vehicles race for the first time with the series kickoff in April 2025. The hydrogen transition plans were first announced in March 2022. Now, the technology is ready to be debuted for viewers.
For the 2025 season, there will be ten rounds of racing across five locations. Drivers will begin their racing season in Saudi Arabia before traveling to the UK, Germany, Italy, and ending the 2025 season in the USA. Teams are yet to be announced for the 2025 season. Unlike most motorsports. Extreme E is unique in that it requires an equal number of men and women drivers.
Formula 1 has an overarching goal to be carbon-neutral by 2030
As we head into the second half of this decade, Formula 1 is upping their efforts to reach their goal of becoming carbon-neutral by 2030. Currently, Formula 1 already has a significant amount of crossover with Extreme E. Three of Formula 1’s drivers are owned by previous F1 World Champions and Maclaren racing has teams in both Extreme E and Formula E.
The collaborative alliance between the FIA, Formula 1, and Extreme E is an applaudable step for the three organization’s to assist each other in reaching their sustainability goals. Extreme H is set to become an FIA World Championship race by 2026. This highlight’s FIA’s own goals to cultivate a possible hydrogen-powered future as the world looks to alternative fuel sources.
Extreme E has been pioneering within motorsport since its inception in 2021. Not only has the racing technology had green energy origins since its first season, but the locations they choose to race in are specifically ones which have already been damaged by climate change or human impact. The transition to Extreme H is a continued example to raise awareness for the effects of climate change while showcasing what the future of motorsport looks like.
Hydrogen vehicles have been gaining rapid attention recently. Efforts are being made globally to develop commercial automotives which use hydrogen as fuel in order to expand companies’ green energy portfolios. To stay relevant and popular, there is an increasing acknowledgment that alternative energy needs to be developed and utilized.
A world where we can see a majority reliance on alternative energy is the future our planet needs for a sustainable livelihood. Motorsport is to be celebrated for their efforts to showcase sustainability and carbon-neutrality.
