Extreme E is delaying its final three events of the year and says it is “reviewing alternative solutions” to finish the season.
The electric off-road series is set to become Extreme H — the world’s first hydrogen-powered motorsport championship — next year and has been carrying out development work for its new Pioneer 25 race car while simultaneously continuing with the final campaign of Extreme E races with the battery-electric Odyssey 21.
While the 2024 season was always envisioned as a flexible transition season ahead of Extreme H’s full-scale debut next year, the huge level of resources required to run both the remainder of the 2024 season while preparing for Extreme H in 2025 has led to the series taking a strategic pivot where it will now focus all of its resources on Extreme H.
That subsequently means the next three doubleheader events in Sardinia (Sept. 14-15 and 21-22) and the series’ planned U.S. debut in Phoenix, Ariz. (Nov. 23-24) have been called off. But the championship is exploring options as to how it can wrap up the season with a final event instead of bringing it to an abrupt close.
“In this current year of evolution, 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,” said Extreme E founder and CEO Alejandro Agag.
“We thank the Automobile Club d’Italia (ACI), Regione Sardegna, and the Italian military along with our Phoenix team, for all their support and understanding in recent weeks, and keep the door open to future collaboration.
“We are working closely with our teams and stakeholders to find alternative solutions to fulfil Extreme E’s final season schedule.”
Despite the unexpected pause on the 2024 season, Extreme E insists the 2025 Extreme H debut is unaffected, and it is currently working through what that season may look like.
“As we continue our transition to Extreme H, we are fully committed to becoming the world’s first hydrogen racing series,” said Agag. “The investment and progress in the innovations are in full flow. Excitement grows every day as the industry continues to turn its head towards the possibilities hydrogen presents.”
While the Extreme H Pioneer 25 will no longer be testing in Sardinia this month, development of the car remains ongoing, with outings in France planned for the coming weeks. It also recently reached a milestone by passing its FIA crash tests.