Extreme E, the all-electric off-road series which began in 2021, will soon have a complementary series called Extreme H, the world’s first racing series for vehicles running on hydrogen.
The addition of the new series is timely, given the increased attention by automakers to developing hydrogen fuelled vehicles.
Toyota is among the carmakers that sees hydrogen as a viable alternative fuel in its multi-pathway approach to carbon neutrality. While it has already been producing and selling two generations of the Mirai, an EV powered by a hydrogen fuel cell, the automaker is also developing engines that run on liquid hydrogen.
Prototypes are already being tested in competition conditions in Japan and the company is also running a Hiace van with a hydrogen engine in Australia.
The Extreme H series, like Extreme E, marks the dawn of a new era in motorsport, demonstrating that sustainability and speed can co-exist.
To start off, a prototype racer was unveiled to industry leaders, environmental advocates, and media representatives in London recently.
Known as the Pioneer 25, it has been developed by a group of companies with expertise in various fields.
Symbio, Extreme H’s Official Fuel Cell Provider, will provide a 75 kW hydrogen fuel cell replacing the battery as the principal energy source (energy from the fuel cell is stored in the battery pack). Only water is the by-product of the reaction where hydrogen generates electrical energy, ensuring zero carbon emissions.
Peak power output will be 400 kW (equivalent to 550 hp) which will give the 2,200-kg, 2.4 metre-wide racing car a 0 to 100 km/h capability of 4.5 seconds and enough torque to speed up slopes of up to 130%.
“Our evolution [from Extreme E] to Extreme H makes us the first-ever testbed of hydrogen technology in motorsport – not only in our racing cars, but also transportation, infrastructure, refuelling processes and safety regulations. It’s a ground-breaking initiative. Our racing series has always been unique, but its future as Extreme H undoubtedly marks Racing’s New Frontier,” said Alejandro Agag, Founder and CEO of Extreme H.
“It’s important for every motorsport series to have a unique selling point and hydrogen is very significant. We are undoubtedly hydrogen pioneers – the first in this space – and we are excited to showcase the potential of an element that, in large parts, remains a hugely untapped resource,” he said.
“The large-scale adoption of hydrogen could have enormous benefits not just across motorsport and the automotive industry, but could also unearth a wealth of positive benefits for the future of the planet,” added Agag, who was also the founder of the Extreme E series.
A prototype of the Pioneer 25 has undergone an intensive testing programme equivalent to 3 seasons of racing in readiness for its debut campaign in April 2025. Extreme H will be recognised as an FIA Championship series.
The first public outing of the racing car is expected to take place at the Hydro X Prix, Extreme E’s next round of Season 4 in Scotland in July. There will also be an intensive test at the Island X Prix in Sardinia in September.
