Extreme H on track to drive change in motorsport
Hydrogen-powered motorsport has the potential to galvanise a global audience and drive environmental awareness like never before.
The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and Extreme E have entered a Memorandum of Understanding outlining the structure for the world’s inaugural hydrogen-powered off-road racing championship.
The document represents a significant step for the hydrogen-based racing series, to attain FIA Championship status starting from its debut season in 2025, and World Championship status by 2026, subject to meeting the necessary criteria.
Furthermore, the outlined pathway specifies that in 2024, Extreme E, presently categorised as an International Series, will itself become an official FIA Championship.
Extreme H is set to join an exclusive group of only seven officially recognised championships, a list that includes the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. The trajectory signifies the series’ remarkable evolution since its inception in 2021 and underscores its commitment to expanding into a hydrogen-powered era.
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Significant progress is now being made, with advanced plans for unveiling an Extreme H prototype later this year in preparation for its season in 2025.
Founder and CEO of Extreme E, Alejandro Agag, said: “What started as a conversation many years ago about racing in extreme environments, showcasing the incredible performance and innovation of E-SUVs, has now demonstrated enormous growth and further pioneering technical advances as we move forward with the transition to hydrogen and Extreme H – a world-first.”
Hydrogen as a zero-carbon power source for multiple transportation use cases has many benefits. Unlike batteries a hydrogen vehicle can be refuelled in the same way as a fossil fuel vehicle and takes the same time. Then the distance travelled on hydrogen is also similar to the distances achievable on a tank of fossil fuel. Unlike battery electric vehicles with diminished distances and re-charge times there is little change in human behaviour required with a hydrogen vehicle.
Hydrogen-powered motorsport has the potential to galvanise a global audience and drive environmental awareness like never before.
Creating a pioneering hydrogen-powered racing world championship will mark a significant and historic achievement for both Extreme E and the emerging Extreme H series. The MOU demonstrates a commitment to delivering sustainable motorsport championships that are full of excitement, whilst, crucially, having a reduced carbon footprint.
President of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile, Mohammed Ben Sulayem said: “We are excited to continue working with Extreme E on their journey to becoming an FIA World Championship. Using sustainable power sources in motor sport is the key objective of the FIA and part of our long-term strategy, and this series is an ideal showcase for that. Hydrogen is an important part of that mix, and we have developed a set of safety regulations for hydrogen-powered vehicles which is part of the FIA’s International Sporting Code.”
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It is certainly a powerful message for a prominent motorsport organisation like Extreme E, known for its impressive roster of teams, to be recognising the potential of hydrogen technology. Alongside a robust commitment to promoting equality and diversity, the company is also actively striving to ensure motorsport becomes accessible to a broader audience.
Extreme E features an iconic list of figures from the world of motorsport, including team owners such as Sir Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosberg, and Jenson Button, as well as renowned racing powerhouses like McLaren, Andretti, and Chip Ganassi. A little over two years ago, since it began, the series has drawn in world champions from various racing disciplines, proving its standing as a premier motorsport championship.
It will soon be the turn of Extreme H to start attracting the big names and sponsors, and by showcasing hydrogen technology’s decarbonisation capabilities on the racetrack, it can inspire people worldwide to embrace more eco-conscious choices in their daily lives.
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