Extreme E’s cars will run on hydrogen fuel cells built by Symbio when the series becomes Extreme H in 2025. The championship named the French company its Official Hydrogen Fuel Cell provider on February 15, 2024, as the 2024 Extreme E season opened in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on 17-18 February.
Each car will carry a 75kW fuel cell in place of the battery as its main energy source. The fuel will be green hydrogen made from solar power and water. Symbio’s fuel cells already feed the batteries in Extreme E’s current cars, though few fans would know it.
“We are delighted to announce Symbio as our official hydrogen fuel cell provider ahead of our first season as Extreme H in 2025,” said Ali Russell, Managing Director of Extreme E. “This is an exciting change for the championship, which has pioneered sustainable technology solutions since its inception.”
Extreme H is billed as the first hydrogen-powered off-road racing series in the world. The pitch is an alternative to battery-electric racing. Heavy batteries eat into a car’s agility and range, and charging takes time, while hydrogen can be refuelled in a few minutes, like petrol or diesel, according to e-formula.news.
The supplier
Symbio was founded in 2010 and is co-owned by Michelin, Stellantis and Forvia. It makes and sells hydrogen fuel cells for buses, coaches, light and mid-size commercial vehicles, pickups, heavy-duty trucks, construction and warehouse equipment, and motorsport. Production runs at its SymphonHy Gigafactory, which the company calls the largest integrated fuel cell production site in Europe.
Symbio said motorsport gives it a testing ground in extreme, real-life conditions. Both organisations also name cutting carbon footprints and the principles of the circular economy as shared goals.
Road to a world championship
In 2023, Extreme H and the FIA announced a route for the series to become an FIA Championship from its first season in 2025, with an aim of FIA World Championship status from 2026. Formula 1, the FIA and Extreme H have also set up a Hydrogen Technical Working Group. It will monitor hydrogen development in the fuel cells and battery systems for the first-generation chassis, and in race-site infrastructure, transport, charging, storage and safety.
Sources
- Symbio to become Extreme H Official Hydrogen Fuel Cell Provider from 2025 | Symbio
- Extreme H: Symbio becomes supplier of hydrogen fuel cells
- Symbio to become Extreme H Official Hydrogen Fuel Cell provider from 2025 | Extreme H
