The tests centred around side-impact and rollover safety, which the Pioneer 25 passed with “flying colours,” according to Extreme E Technical Director, Mark Grain. “We shouldn’t underestimate this. It’s the first hydrogen race car that’s met stringent FIA criteria,” he said.
“I’m pleased to say that in each of the tests, both high and low pressures were maintained and that’s the indication that there was no damage to the hydrogen system,” Grain added.
The news comes shortly after Extreme E announced it was evaluating plans for the end of its Season 4 calendar, which had remaining rounds in Sardinia, Italy, and Phoenix, the US.
Alejandro Agag, Founder and CEO of Extreme E, explained, “We are fully committed to becoming the world’s first hydrogen racing series. We all want to find a conclusion to Extreme E, which enables us to finish what we started, whilst at the same time, allows us to commit maximum resources into our Extreme H developments.”
Production of the Extreme H cars for its first campaign is anticipated to begin in the coming weeks, expected to be delivered before the end of 2024.
Pioneer 25, unveiled earlier this year, will now undertake FIA resilience tests for its tanks and battery packs before further track testing is carried out late this month and into October.
The vehicle also debuted at Extreme E’s Hydro X Prix in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, in July. Utilising Symbio fuel cells, the Pioneer 25 has a power output of 400kW.
Read more: Hydrogen-powered Pioneer 25 debuts in Scotland
Extreme H aims to demonstrate hydrogen’s viability in the transport industry, says CEO
In 2022, sustainable motorsports racing competition Extreme E revealed its plans for an off-road racing series relying solely on hydrogen as its fuel.
Extreme H will be the next phase in the racing series currently powered by electric vehicles and, alongside the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the competition has been granted its inaugural season in 2025.
Since its first season in 2021, Extreme E has travelled the world, with 10 races across five different locations, 10 teams consisting of a male and female driver and will now transition into a fully operated hydrogen event, on its “race for the planet.”
Extreme E CEO, Alejandro Agag, told H2 View that the introduction of Extreme H “can demonstrate that hydrogen is a very viable technology for the future, and also for racing.”
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