(London/Great Britain) – The organizers of “Extreme E” want to start the first motorsport championship with off-road hydrogen vehicles in 2024. It will take place alongside the existing electric racing series under the name “Extreme H”. Extreme E co-founder Alejandro Agag announced this in February at the opening race of the second season in Neom, Saudi Arabia.
A very special type of competition
Extreme E made its debut in 2021. In the innovative racing series, drivers compete in electric SUVs in extreme environments on five weekends of the year 
all over the world against each other. Some of the selected venues are damaged or affected by climate and environmental problems. The two-day events are intended to “showcase the impacts of climate change and human activity in some of the world’s most remote places” while promoting the adoption of electric vehicles.
Motorsport with social components
However, unlike conventional motorsport, the racing series is not just a playground for the vehicle industry, but rather combines a number of social components. Each team competes in several “challenges” with one woman and one man. Whoever drives first determines the team and remains secret until the start. This prevents “tactical duels”. After the first of two laps, the other person gets behind the wheel.
In addition, the number of team members is limited and there are no fans on site, so there is no need for environmentally harmful journeys and stays. The races will be broadcast live on social media and on television; in Germany, Austria and Switzerland on the free TV channel Prosieben Maxx and on Ran. 
Extreme E aims to minimize the impact of competition on the environment while maximizing awareness of damage caused by humans on Earth. Organizers want to keep the overall carbon footprint as low as possible.
For example, the former British mail ship “St. Helena” – converted and optimized for energy saving – as a transporter for the equipment and racing cars, as a back office for logistics and even as a floating paddock on site. At one time it was also reportedly going to be equipped with a large wind sail to save fuel while underway. However, the plan has been shelved for the time being for cost reasons.
Battery vs. fuel cell
Extreme E was designed as a test bed for innovations and solutions for mobility, says founding father Alejandro Agag: “It has become increasingly clear to us that the creation of a hydrogen racing series is a natural development of our mission to explore the possibilities of new technologies in the fight against the to show climate change.”
Together with the current Extreme E teams, we will decide in the coming months “how we can best integrate the hydrogen-powered cars,” said the Spaniard. There are currently several options on the table: two separate categories, a complete switch to hydrogen or joint races.
The vehicles and the drive are all based on a given design. The Extreme H car should have the same powertrain and chassis as the Extreme E vehicle. The main difference is that a fuel cell uses the battery as the main source of energy 
replaced. This will be powered by green hydrogen produced from solar power - a technology that is already being used behind the scenes at Extreme E to charge the vehicle batteries. The development of the first Extreme H vehicle is already underway, and a prototype is scheduled to be presented in early 2023.
Five races, five countries
There are five electric SUV races this year. The “Desert X Prix” competition in Neom, Saudi Arabia, recently concluded. In May the competitors meet in Sardinia (Italy) for the “Island X Prix”, in July in Scotland or Senegal for the “Ocean X Prix”, in September for the “Copper The “Energy X Prix” is on the program in November in Punta del Este (Uruguay).
deep link
https://www.extreme-e.com/en/news/503_Extreme-E-reveals-first-hydrogen-off-road-racing-Championship
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Extreme E plans to race with hydrogen SUVs. © Extreme E Ltd.
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Winning team and winning vehicle: Mikaela Åhlin-Kottulinsky and Johan Kristoffersson from Team Nico Rosberg from Sweden won the opening race “Desert © Extreme E Ltd.
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Transporter and paddock, but not yet electric: The former mail ship “St. Helen.” © Extreme E Ltd. / Aningaaq Rosing Carlsen
