Extreme E organizers have announced the launch of a new hydrogen-powered category, called Extreme H, in 2025. This will mark the first time a FIA world championship will use hydrogen as a fuel source. The Extreme H category will feature the same off-road SUV-styled buggies as the current Extreme E series, but with an electric powertrain replaced by a hydrogen version, possibly employing a hydrogen fuel cell system.
Alejandro Agag, founder of Extreme E, has previously expressed plans to run Extreme H alongside Extreme E, following the same format. Both series will hold events on off-road courses in extreme locations impacted by climate change. Each team consists of a female and male driver who switch mid-race.
Extreme E has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with the FIA to establish Extreme H as an official FIA championship by 2025. At the same time, Extreme E itself will gain official FIA recognition, becoming an officially recognized series. Once specific criteria are met, Extreme H will become an official FIA world championship starting from 2026. Only seven series, including the electric Formula E world championship, hold this prestigious title.
Extreme E founder Alejandro Agag has expressed his excitement about this development, stating, “This announcement is a significant first step in the development of our championship and our ground-breaking transition to hydrogen-powered racing. Sport is the most powerful and effective platform to drive innovation, and our commitment to delivering sustainable motorsport championships, full of excitement and with a reduced carbon footprint, is testament to that.”
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has also voiced his support, emphasizing the FIA’s goal of utilizing sustainable power sources in motorsport. He stated, “Using sustainable power sources in motorsport 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.”
The new Extreme H category will be able to leverage the existing infrastructure at Extreme E events. Typically, electricity to power the cars is generated on site using solar panels, with the energy then converted into hydrogen and utilized to power electricity generators.