Hydrogen-Powered Extreme H All-Set To Replace Full-Electric Extreme E Series in 2025

Published On: 17 January 2024
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Andy Welch, the utilities manager for Extreme E, affirms that the series will end while plans for the hydrogen-powered championship move forward.

The all-electric off-road racing series Extreme E is preparing for a radical change as it ends its four-year run at the end of 2024 to make room for Extreme H, a new championship powered by hydrogen that is scheduled to make its debut in 2025. Although discussions about switching to hydrogen power had raised questions about the show's future, managing director Ali Russell's most recent column made it clear that Extreme E would conclude with a 2024 episode in the United States.

Extreme E's utilities manager, Andy Welch, confirmed during the Business Forum at the Autosport International Show that logistical issues had no bearing on the decision to end Extreme E. Welch emphasized that last month's successful completion of the first shakedown of the new hydrogen-based championship, which will feature hydrogen prototypes built by Spark Racing Technologies, marked the beginning of a new era in motorsports.

Welch responded to a query regarding Extreme E's future by saying, "It's a different car, different championship, same format. And it will end with Extreme E as it is." He explained that the end of Extreme E does not mean the removal of current cars or the dismantling of infrastructure; both will remain in place after the series ends in 2024.

Welch brushed off worries about holding two championships at once, emphasizing that the introduction of Extreme H in 2025 is the main priority. He made the observation that although holding two championships at the same location has obvious commercial benefits, viewers might not be able to tell "E" from "H."

Testing is currently underway on the hydrogen prototype for Extreme H, which should debut at an Extreme E event later this year. Welch announced that production of hydrogen-powered vehicles would start in the early to mid-year and that teams would receive 10 to 12 vehicles by the end of 2024.

Extreme E has unveiled a colorful schedule for 2024 that includes five events, beginning on February 17–18 in Saudi Arabia. Doubleheader events are planned in Sardinia over two weekends in September after an as-yet-unconfirmed second round, with the series' grand finale at Phoenix in November. Extreme E has taken a major step forward by switching to hydrogen power, which fits with the changing nature of sustainable racing and pushes the envelope of innovation in the motorsports sector.