Extreme E is in the middle of its fourth season and hasn’t stopped pursuing more decarbonized racing avenues. The company is rebranding to Extreme H, a hydrogen fuel cell-powered rally series. It just launched images and videos of the Pioneer 25, the standard hydrogen gas racing car that all teams will use in 2025.
Mark Grain, the technical director, recently wrote a press release explaining the benefits of hydrogen racing and the Pioneer 25.
“The Pioneer 25 is an all-new chassis, purpose-designed to introduce hydrogen fuel cells to racing,” Grain wrote. “Extreme E has already proven that electric vehicles can endure the harshest climatic and racing conditions, competing aggressively on challenging terrains.”
“With Extreme H, we aim to demonstrate the same robustness and versatility for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles,” he continued.
“We want the world to see that the Pioneer 25 can perform under intense racing conditions, handle stress, and still deliver exceptional performance.”
The car reaches top speeds of 124 mph (200 kph), weighs 4,850 pounds (2,200 kilograms), and accelerates to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. The fuel cell will be supplied from Symbio, which provides 75 kW charging for the battery and outputs 400 kW of power.
Photo Courtesy ©Matt Ben Stone/Extreme H
Extreme E travels to many different climates, so the Pioneer 25 must be able to handle rugged terrain, precipitation, heat, and or cold. Grain believes the car will be more powerful than its electric predecessor, the ODYSSEY 21.
“Extreme H represents the first-ever testbed of hydrogen technology in motorsport, not just in our racing cars, but also in transportation, infrastructure, refueling processes, and safety regulations,” Grain said. “This groundbreaking initiative positions us as pioneers in the field, showcasing the potential of hydrogen as a sustainable and powerful energy source.”
The racing venture — backed by motorsport legends Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosberg, Jenson Button, and celebrities like house DJ Carl Cox — has been experimenting with green hydrogen power since 2022. It has been charging electric rally cars with hydrogen generators.
After testing the hydrogen power in December 2023, the final details were added before the official launch of Pioneer 25. This season will be the last with fully electric racing.
Being a Spec series, all the cars will be identical in power and performance, although driving skills can amplify that. This feature gives the sport a level playing field, where no car has a distinct mechanical advantage.
Extreme E held a late June launch event aboard the racing outlet’s supply boat, St. Helena, in London. St. Helena was strutting along the River Thames as CEO Alejandro Agag introduced fans and shareholders to the upcoming Extreme H car.
Photo Courtesy ©Jack Hall/PA Media Assignments
“Hydrogen’s potential is immense,” Agag explained in a June press release. “It’s not just about e-mobility; it’s about creating green power solutions that can be applied anywhere, from remote locations to bustling cities.”
“By launching Extreme H, we’re not only showcasing the viability of hydrogen as a fuel source but also testing the wider hydrogen ecosystem, including recharging and hydrogen transportation — as well as helping to create a market for it,” Agag continued. “This aligns with our broader goal of reducing reliance on fossil fuels and achieving net-zero emissions.”
The car abroad was draped in Red Bull sponsor art, a major advertising and race team partner for Formula 1, World Endurance Championship, and other racing outlets. The Austrian beverage company will be Extreme H’s official energy drink supplier.
The exposure is massive for growing Extreme H’s global appeal as it competes with Formula E and traditional gas-powered leagues for viewers. Extreme E has been hailed for its social diversity, having one of the closest performance gaps between male and female drivers and being one of the few zero-emission sports leagues. The Global Sustainability Benchmark in Sports recognized the company’s efforts.The first public test of the new Extreme H car will be at the Hydro Grand Prix in Scotland on July 13–14.
